On Thursday February 19 I stayed over night on a FAM for Royal Caribbean’s Mariner of the Seas. the following are a few of the highlights from this experience.

Photo of the pool deck Mariner of the Seas

The  Royal Promenade is where the heart of the activity on the ship is located, this collection of stores, cafes, bars and other gathering spots stretches longer than a football field. It includes a 24-hour eatery. When you look up you will see row after row of interior cabins with windows overlooking down below.

There is a rock climbing wall, which is a standard Royal Caribbean feature, this one rises to 200 feet above the sea. The grips are color-coded by level of difficulty.  Additionally on this vessel is an ice skating rink. For the active guest there is even an inline skating track on deck 13 near a nine hole miniature golf course as well.

For a little solitude, one can escape to the Solarium, an adults-only zone equipped with a pool, whirlpools, fountain and chaise lounges. For a more livelier scene, hang out at the main pool area and listen to live bands.

The ship has a multitude of cabin choices from inside and outside cabins, to junior and full suites as well.

The only thing that didn’t truely wow me was the dining, which was average but I did not experience the specialty dining options available on board this ship, which I sure are better than what I experienced in the main dining room.

My overall take on Mariner of the Seas was very positive and would recommend sailing on this vessel.

Expansion afoot for the world’s largest cruise ship

The world’s biggest cruise ship is set to feature the first ever ‘carousel of the sea’ alongside split-level loft apartments when it’s launched next year.

Oasis of the Seas, Royal Caribbean International’s gigantic flagship vessel, is due to set sail in December 2009.

The state-of-the-art ship features the first on-board amphitheatre, alongside a 43-foot climbing wall with an incredible zip-line suspended above the deck.

Weighing in at 220,000 tonnes, the ship will have 28 luxury two-level loft suites that boast floor-to-ceiling windows to maximise the views.

Marking a new generation in cruising, Oasis of the Seas will be able to carry 5,400 passengers staying in 37 categories of accommodation.

Holidaymakers can also spend time in a range of themed areas, including the Royal Promenade, Boardwalk, and Central Park.

The megaship is due to sail from Port Everglades in Florida from December 12th next year and will take bookings from September 2008.

It will sail seven-night cruises around the eastern Caribbean and call at Charlotte Amalie, St Thomas, Philipsburg, St Maarten and Nassau in the Bahamas.

Alternatively, in 2010 it will switch route to the western Caribbean calling in at Labadee, Haiti, Falmouth, Jamaica, and Cozumel in Mexico.

Adam Goldstein, president and chief executive of Royal Caribbean International, said they are “fortunate to have taken millions of satisfied guests over 40 years to these highly regarded destinations”.

The ports on these routes are presently engaged with construction work to properly accommodate the giant ship and its passengers.

What does a Coney Island style boardwalk, a Central Park, Ampi(Aqua)theatre, Rising Tide Bar, Loft Suites and Royal Promenade have in common? The exciting new Oasis Of The Seas! Oasis will be launched late 2009 and the anticipation is palpatible with RCCL fans. This ship will definitely be the destination onto itself. If you are new to cruising, would I recommend this ship for your first try? Definitely not! But, for those die-hard RCCL fans and mega ship lovers, this is a dream come true.
The books will open in August and Crown and Anchor members will have an exclusive booking window before the general public.

I could write more about Oasis, but truthfully, it’s probably more exciting to look at the site (watch the video!) www.oasisoftheseas.com

After you’re done checking out Oasis Of The Seas, make sure to contact Amy at A Room With A View – Cruise & Travel to make your reservation! 800-571-3159 or amy@aroomwithaviewtravel.com