Dining experiences, Broadway shows and an exciting selection of shops will be the new features of the world's largest ships: the Allure of the Seas and the Oasis of the Seas.
Sailing aboard the world's largest cruise ships is about to become even more spectacular. Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas has just left the shipyard, where it underwent a 14-day refurbishment, sporting a new look and a host of amazing new features and amenities, including a reinvented dining experience, unprecedented high-speed internet access, new shops, renowned Broadway shows, and new suites and privileges for guests. Its sister ship, the Allure of the Seas, will follow in 2015 with virtually the same changes. During their respective refurbishments, each of the seven neighborhoods on both ships will be upgraded to offer passengers new amenities and an even more personalized experience that can only be found on Royal Caribbean.
“Royal Caribbean will incorporate its entire legacy and expertise in innovation into the revolutionary Oasis-class ships, Allure of the Seas and Oasis of the Seas, during their respective refurbishments to further surprise our guests,” said Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, Senior Vice President of Operations, Royal Caribbean International. “The new features include, among other things, our new Dynamic Dining program, which has been exceptionally well-received by our guests and which we will incorporate into these ships, continuing our commitment to offering the most popular services and amenities.”
New gastronomic concepts
Providing passengers with the opportunity to experience new flavors and enjoy those that have become classics is key for Royal Caribbean. With Dynamic Dining, the company is taking onboard gastronomy to the next level, offering passengers greater flexibility, a wider range of choices and culinary experiences, and a selection of 20 restaurants with a gastronomic offering comparable to that found in any of the world's most cosmopolitan cities.
The classic three-story dining room of the Oasis class has been transformed into three different restaurants at no extra charge: American Icon Grill, a culinary journey through the USA; Silk, with a pan-Asian menu that recreates the Far East; and The Grande, with a delicate ambiance and refined gastronomy.
Passengers can enjoy the new menus starting March 14, 2015, on the Oasis of the Seas. Those traveling before then will enjoy traditional service in the newly redesigned spaces.
As part of Dynamic Dining, Royal Caribbean guests will also be able to choose from several specialty restaurants, including four unique concepts:
- Izumi Hibachi & Sushi, a review of Izumi Japanese Cuisine.
- Sabor Taqueria & Tequila Bar, located on the Boardwalk, will offer authentic, modern, and innovative Mexican food alongside a carefully curated selection of tequilas, mezcal, Mexican beers, and freshly prepared margaritas.
- Wonderland Imaginative Cuisine,an elaborate festival for the senses where Royal Caribbean chefs create a dreamlike atmosphere that envelops their fascinating recipes.
- Coastal Kitchen will be an exclusive restaurant for Crown&Anchor suite guests and Pinnacle members, fusing Mediterranean influences with the best dishes of Californian cuisine.
In addition, passengers will be able to continue enjoying the specialty restaurants present on the Oasis class ships since their inauguration in 2009 such as Giovanni's Table, 150 Central Park and Vintages Wine Bar.
Technology
Royal Caribbean's commitment to providing the best vacation experience for its passengers is the foundation of the "Royal Advantage" program, which has led the company to incorporate the latest innovations and its most outstanding facilities into its new ships, such as:
- Broadband: The Oasis of the Seas and the Allure of the Seaswill feature unprecedented bandwidth thanks to their technology partner O3b. With speeds comparable to those on land and exceeding those of other ships, passengers will be able to stream video, check emails, share photos on social media, and enjoy video conferencing at sea.
- Royal iQ: This app will allow passengers to manage all the details of their cruise: dinner reservations, shore excursions, and spa appointments. All of this can be done both through the downloadable app and at iQ Stations, terminals located on board the ships. These apps will also allow passengers to check their cruise schedule at a glance and stay connected.
The new and exclusive “Suite Experience” “
With the revitalization of the Oasis-class ships, 10 new suites will be added, offering spectacular views of the sea or iconic locations such as the AquaTheater or the Boardwalk. These suites will offer a high level of sophistication and will include: 2 Royal Suites, 6 Grand Suites, and 2 Royal Family Suites.
In addition, passengers traveling in suites on Oasis-class ships will have access to exclusive areas such as the Suite Lounge, a relaxation area with incredible views of the ship and the ocean, the Sun Deck, a space to enjoy the sun with private service, and the exclusive suite restaurant Coastal Kitchen.
New Broadway Shows
The Oasis of the Seas was the first ship to feature a licensed Broadway show, and now it will showcase one of the longest-running musicals ever performed. Tony Award-winning Andrew Lloyd Webber's CATS will be performed at sea for the first time. Its sister ship, the Allure of the Seas,will premiere MAMMA MIA!, the musical based on the timeless songs of ABBA, in June 2015.
Offshore shopping
Renowned for its innovative onboard offerings, Royal Caribbean will feature Kate Spade New York designs on its Oasis-class ships. These, along with Michael Kors and the Britto Art Gallery, will make the onboard experience even more complete. Other brands joining the lineup include Alexis Bittar, Uno de 50, Lauren G Adams, and Nina Nguyen.
With all these additions, the best facilities and services that the company has implemented in recent years will be present on the latest ships in the fleet to create the best vacations and offer passengers what Royal Caribbean calls Royal Advantage: the best ships in the industry along with the most exciting destinations and itineraries and a renewed Gold Anchor service.
The Oasis of the Seas and the Allure of the Seas will alternate seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries departing from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. During the 2015 European season, the Allure of the Seas will be based in Barcelona for the first time.
