Last month I was onboard the Oasis of the Seas and while it was extremely short, I used this opportunity to document the ship.
The Oasis of the Seas is the lead ship in the groundbreaking Oasis-class of vessels for Royal Caribbean being first delivered in 2009. Back then she immediately took the title of the largest passenger ship in the world. Today, we rank her as the current 7th largest passenger vessel in the world. After a recent drydocking, she’s technically slightly larger than her younger sister, Allure of the Seas, by a mere 201gt.
As with all other Oasis-class vessels, the ship is split into seven different neighborhoods. These range from the quiet, tranquil, plant filled Central Park, to the happening Boardwalk, to the action-packed Sports deck. This review will cover all neighborhoods and public areas.
VIEW OASIS OF THE SEAS DECK PLANS
As with all our reviews, we start out with the obligatory photos.
Random hallway photo.
Stairwell and carpet shot.
Elevator lobby and atrium view.
The stairwell and elevator lobbies on the decks with cabins all have this aesthetic and design.
Deck 03
At the very front of the deck is the bottom level of the Royal Theater. However it is only accessible from the deck above.
Deck three houses the Conference Center midships. For charter cruises and corporate groups, this is where the behind-the-scenes business happens.
At the back of the deck is the bottom floor of the Main Dining Room. Guests with My Time Dining will find themselves here. It’s an impressive space—this single level alone can serve around three thousand guests a night, a feat of logistics that Royal Caribbean executes with surprising grace.
Deck 04
Deck four starts with the Royal Theater, home to Broadway-style productions and original shows. Arrive early to snag a great seat—it’s a popular venue, especially on sea days.
Past that is the start of the forward Atrium. This starts on deck four and goes all the way up to sixteen. Royal Caribbean ships are quite famous for having tall, glass topped atriums that span as much of the ship as possible. Moving aft, you’ll enter the Entertainment Place. Think of it as the ship’s nightlife hub.
Theres a non-smoking section of the ships casino (which is found further down the deck).
The Blaze hosts comedy shows, perfect for a post-dinner laugh.
The Crown Lounge is a private retreat for Crown & Anchor loyalty members with high status, and at the back end is Studio B, the real ice rink onboard. Free skating is a fun novelty, but don’t miss the spectacular ice shows—they’re surprisingly avant-garde for a cruise line.
Surrounding the rink is the Art Gallery, a quieter walk-through where guests can browse or even attend auctions.
Keep going aft and you’ll step into Casino Royale, the ship’s buzzing heart of nightlife. On sea days, it feels like Las Vegas afloat.
Just beyond, on the port side, is Izumi, serving sushi and sizzling Teppanyaki dinners. Watching the chefs here is half the fun.
The deck concludes with the second level of the Main Dining Room, offering another chance to dine in style.
Deck 05
Forward on Deck 5 you’ll find the Vitality Spa, a serene escape with treatment rooms offering massages, facials, and more—ideal for a pampering session during a sea day.
Outside is the jogging track, a feature you don’t see on every modern mega-ship. It fully wraps the deck, and sunset walks here are particularly memorable.
Back inside, the forward most normally accessed area is the second tier of the main theater.
Back inside, you’ll come to the Royal Promenade, the ship’s central thoroughfare. Always lively, it hosts parades, live music, and plenty of people-watching. With the introduction of the Oasis and Quantum-class of vessel, the Royal Promenade saw a slight reimagining. Until then, the Voyager and Freedom-class has a very symmetrical, vertical type space throughout the center of the ship. The new version here may only be two decks but it’s wider and has a diverse variety of more spaces here. You can get a better view of it all from the deck above.
In the middle at the forward end is the ships onboard Starbucks. Note that none of the drink plans support unlimited Starbucks.
At the forward end of the Royal Promenade, you’ll find Spotlight Karaoke on the port side, a fun venue where guests can belt out their favorite songs late into the evening.
Across the way on starboard is Boleros, the lively Latin-themed lounge that fills with salsa music and mojitos after dark.
Moving aft, the promenade opens into a row of shops. Solera, the ship’s dedicated beauty and cosmetics boutique, is located on the port side, while additional retail space lines the starboard side.
This stretch also serves as one of Oasis’s main embarkation entrances, making it the first glimpse many guests have of the ship’s signature indoor boulevard.
Past the entrance, the energy picks up again. On the port side is the Globe and Atlas Pub, a classic British-style watering hole with dark woods, cozy seating, and a wide variety of beers on tap.
Directly across on starboard is Sorrento’s Pizza, the ever-popular stop for a quick slice, day or night.
A few more shops line both sides of the promenade beyond this point, offering duty-free finds and souvenirs. At the aft end sits one of the promenade’s true icons: the Rising Tide Bar. This moving platform slowly glides between Deck 5 and Deck 8, making it both a bar and an attraction in its own right.
Flanking it are more guest favorites: on the port side, the Café Promenade with its round-the-clock snacks and coffee, and the Guest Services desk for any onboard assistance.
On the starboard side, the futuristic Bionic Bar, where robotic arms mix cocktails with precision.
The after section of the deck is the top deck of the three tier Main Dining Room.
Deck 06
At the very front is the Vitality Fitness Center, equipped with cardio machines, weights, and floor-to-ceiling ocean views. Early morning workouts here feel extra refreshing.
Nearby, the Vitality Café serves smoothies and juices for a light post-workout snack.
Midship, the second level of the Royal Promenade offers stair-access vantage points to view the bustling activity below.
Insider Tip: Right off the forward elevator lobby are the quiet, cozy nook you can park yourself at and watch the happenings below.
At the aft section of the deck is the Schooner bar on port.
The picture and photo center is on starboard.
Aft is the Boardwalk, an open-air space inspired by early 20th-century seaside piers. Here you’ll find family-friendly eats, carnival games, and the hand-carved carousel at its center.
On starboard are some shops including the onboard candy store. As well as the Dog House and Johnny Rockets.
The Ultimate Abyss, a 10 stories high slide, finishes down here, right in the center.
On the port side is the Playmakers Sports Bar.
At the very back is the AquaTheater, a one-of-a-kind venue where divers and acrobats perform in shows that combine artistry and adrenaline.
A secret shuffle board court is behind the big screens of the AquaTheater.
Deck 07
Deck 07 is all cabins with the rock climbing walls at the very aft.
Deck 08
Deck 8 is home to Central Park, one of the most remarkable spaces at sea. This open-air garden features thousands of live plants, trees, and winding pathways that make you honestly forget you’re on a ship. Daytime strolls are peaceful, but evenings are especially magical when the space is softly lit with twinkling lights.
Surrounding the park are several specialty restaurants and bars, many with outdoor seating—perfect for an al fresco dinner.
At the aft is the upper stop for the Rising Tide Bar. Also on this deck is the Music Hall (the former Dazzles Lounge), a two-story club with panoramic windows overlooking the Boardwalk. Live music and themed parties here keep it lively late into the night.
Decks 09–12
These decks are mostly staterooms, though a few highlights include:
Deck 9 is the upper level of Dazzles.
There’s also this neat one person balcony hidden here. (I may have worked the afternoon from this seat before it start raining as can be seen in this photo)
Deck 11 has the Card Room.
Deck 12 has this small office tucked away at the end of the hallway.
Deck 14
Skipping Deck 13 because there is none out of superstition, Deck 14 begins with the Adventure Ocean kids’ area, which offers age-specific programs and play zones for younger cruisers.
At the aft, you’ll find the ships Escape Room.
Deck 15
Deck 15 is where much of the action happens during the day. It begins with the lower level of the Solarium, a glass partially enclosed, adults-only retreat with whirlpools and panoramic views.
Forward, the Solarium Bistro serves lighter, healthier fare in a bright setting.
Just aft are the cantilevered whirlpools, dramatically jutting over the sides of the ship.
The main pool deck stretches across the midsection with multiple pool zones: the lively Main Pool, the competitive Sports Pool, the laid-back Beach Pool, and a splash-filled water park.
The Perfect Storm waterslides add plenty of thrills as they twist down from several decks above.
The pool bars here have been themed in the Lime & Coconut aesthetic just as the lines newer vessels are.
Teens have their own dedicated spaces here as well as the arcade.
Mexican style casual dining at El Loco Fresh is on starboard.
The Portside BBQ is fittingly on the ….port side.
Theres also a small self help sundry place.
Aft, you’ll find mini golf and the Sports Court split between the after superstructure. Suspended between the two superstructures is the zip line.
Deck 17
Forward, the upper level of the Solarium offers shaded loungers and its own bar, making it a calm retreat compared to the busy pool deck below.
The middle section of the deck is the outdoor sundecks that surrounds the pool decks below. The second level of the Lime & Coconut bar is here. Two additional whirlpools have been retrofitted into this area.
Further back is the Windjammer Marketplace, the ship’s international buffet with wide variety and floor-to-ceiling ocean views.
The aft is an adventure playground: two FlowRider surf simulators, the Zip Line soaring over the Boardwalk, the Wipe Out Bar, and the Ultimate Abyss slide—a dramatic dry slide that spirals ten decks down to the Boardwalk faster than any elevator ride.
Deck 18
These uppermost decks are reserved for suite guests. At the forward section is an exclusive bar and sundeck.
The aft section is what used to be the Viking Crown Lounge. The front section you’ll find Coastal Kitchen, a suite-only restaurant, and the Suite Lounge overlooking the pools.
This area is also where the two-story Loft Suites are accessed, among the most impressive accommodations at sea.
While not as impressive as a loft suite, my walkthrough of my cabin illustrates what one of the recently refurbished balcony cabins looks like.
Insiders Tip: Look under the desk for more outlets.
