Up to now three years, I’ve cruised on all six of Royal Caribbean’s Oasis Class cruise ships, and I’m rating them from greatest to worst.
Oasis Class ships have turned heads ever for the reason that first ship, Oasis of the Seas, launched in 2008. She was something however a standard cruise ship; for the primary time ever, a Royal Caribbean ship was break up into distinct neighborhoods.
Whether or not the family-friendly, open-air Boardwalk on the ship’s aft or two-story Royal Promenade, the Oasis Class really redefined what a cruise ship might be.
All through the previous sixteen years, 5 extra Oasis Class ships have launched: Attract of the Seas, Concord of the Seas, Symphony of the Seas, Marvel of the Seas, and Utopia of the Seas. After cruising on each Oasis Class ship, I’ve come to favor some greater than others.
All six Oasis Class vessels are extra alike than completely different, however every ship affords different leisure, eating places, and onboard actions. Different touches, corresponding to decor or variations in structure, change from ship to ship, too. Don’t get me mistaken—all of my cruise experiences have been wonderful—however in the long run, it was the refined variations that made me favor one over the opposite.
Right here’s my rating of Royal Caribbean’s Oasis Class ships from greatest to worst.
Marvel of the Seas
On the high of my listing of Oasis Class ships is Marvel of the Seas, which launched in early 2022. The ship’s structure, design options, and eating places make Marvel my favourite in her class.
Marvel of the Seas was the primary Oasis Class ship to have a barely completely different structure from her sister ships. A Suite Neighborhood was added to the higher decks, the Windjammer buffet was expanded to lower crowding, and the adults-only Solarium was totally enclosed so it might be climate-controlled.
Associated: Marvel of the Seas vs different Oasis Class ships
Every part on Marvel of the Seas felt exceptionally fashionable and well-designed throughout my week onboard. I liked listening to stay nation music at The Mason Jar, grabbing a drink from the tropical Lime and Coconut bar on the pool deck, and enjoyable within the Solarium with out breaking a sweat.
Truthfully, the ship is almost similar to Royal Caribbean’s brand-new Utopia of the Seas, however what makes Marvel of the Seas greater on my listing are her itineraries.
Presently, Marvel of the Seas sails 7-night itineraries in comparison with Utopia’s 3 and 4-night sailings. As somebody who doesn’t stay inside driving distance to a cruise port, I’m extra drawn to an extended cruise as a way to make the journey time worthwhile.
In fact, not every thing on the ship is ideal. I want Marvel of the Seas featured a Broadway musical, for example, however on the whole, I discovered the cons minimal. If I got the prospect to sail on an Oasis Class ship right now, a 7-night itinerary on Marvel of the Seas can be my first alternative.
It is price mentioning that the ship will provide solely quick cruises beginning in August of 2025, however as she stands at present, Marvel of the Seas is my favourite Oasis Class ship.
Utopia of the Seas
Royal Caribbean’s latest Oasis Class ship, Utopia of the Seas, goals to offer the “Largest Weekend” at sea. The ship, which solely sails 3 and 4-night itineraries, markets towards cruisers seeking a fast getaway full of themed events and nonstop leisure.
Associated: Utopia of the Seas: Itinerary, options, and extra
From the all-new Royal Kappa Chi college-themed occasion to the Toga Silent Disco, the three days I spent on Utopia of the Seas have been something however boring. And though I wouldn’t say the occasion vibe was totally my vibe, taking part within the actions was not a requirement.
On the entire, the ship’s ambiance didn’t really feel drastically completely different to that of different Oasis Class ships. If you happen to didn’t attend the night events, crusing on the ship principally felt like cruising on every other ship within the class.
The structure and facilities have been almost similar to Marvel of the Seas, with a Suite Neighborhood and colourful pool deck. I appreciated the addition of some venues not discovered on every other Oasis Class ship, together with the Pesky Parrot tiki bar and the Royal Railway immersive eating expertise.
Newer is often higher in the case of cruise ships, however on this case, I nonetheless favor the older Marvel of the Seas over Utopia of the Seas. The sticker value of the shiny new vessel is steep, and I can’t justify paying the identical value for a 3-night cruise that I may pay for a 7-night cruise on a barely older Oasis Class ship.
There’s no query that crusing on Utopia of the Seas is enjoyable and that she supplies the best-of-the-best Oasis Class options, however I’d nonetheless somewhat ebook an extended cruise itinerary.
Oasis of the Seas
Amongst my favourite Oasis Class ships is Oasis of the Seas. Of all of Royal Caribbean’s ships, the primary Oasis Class ship was maybe probably the most influential. Whereas we’d now view a park on a cruise ship with normalcy, this actually wasn’t the case in 2008!
Over time, as anticipated, Oasis of the Seas started to point out her age. In 2019, she underwent a $165 million amplification, which added waterslides, new eating places, and a reimagined pool deck.
Associated: Oasis of the Seas ship information: Cabins, itineraries, what to anticipate
I sailed on Oasis of the Seas after her amplification, and I liked each minute of my expertise onboard. I attempted out the escape room, rode the Final Abyss dry slide, and sipped on fruity cocktails on the Caribbean-inspired pool deck.
Throughout my cruise, I significantly loved the spacious outside solar deck within the Solarium together with Aqua80, the ship’s high-energy AquaTheater present. I additionally splurged on a go to the spa’s thermal suite, which certainly helped me get pleasure from my cruise much more.
In brief, I didn’t discover a lot in any respect to complain about on Oasis of the Seas. I favor the extra up to date structure of Marvel and Utopia of the Seas, however the amplification of Oasis of the Seas helped the ship really feel simply as up to date because the newer ships within the class.
Symphony of the Seas
Close to the center of my rating is Symphony of the Seas, the fourth Oasis Class ship that launched in 2018. After spending per week onboard the ship final yr, I discovered no main points with the vessel, and my Western Caribbean trip was nearly good.
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All issues thought of, Symphony of the Seas may simply be in my high three favourite Oasis Class ships. I discovered the ship impeccably clear, and I appreciated the design options all through, particularly the Solarium’s Massive Marvel artwork set up that lights up at night time.
Moreover, my favourite Italian restaurant on Royal Caribbean—Jamie’s Italian—is discovered onboard, and I liked watching the ship’s Broadway manufacturing of Hairspray.
So why the decrease rating? Finally, I favor the improved structure and choices of Marvel and Utopia, together with the Caribbean pool vibe it’s also possible to discover on Oasis of the Seas.
I wouldn’t purposely keep away from Symphony of the Seas over the three aforementioned ships, however given the prospect, it could in all probability be my fourth alternative for an Oasis Class cruise trip.
Concord of the Seas
As if the Oasis Class ships couldn’t be game-changing sufficient, the launch of Concord of the Seas in 2015 introduced an excellent greater wow issue to the Oasis Class.
In comparison with the 2 Oasis Class ships constructed earlier than her—Oasis and Attract—Concord of the Seas debuted with upgraded actions. She had the first-ever waterslides on an Oasis Class ship together with the Final Abyss dry slide and an escape room.
Associated: Concord of the Seas cruise ship overview
In a means, Concord paved the way in which for the following three Oasis Class ships, which all share these options, and in addition impressed the facilities added throughout Oasis of the Seas’ amplification.
Regardless of being a cutting-edge ship on the time, Concord of the Seas ranks fifth on my listing. Honestly, although, she is so just like Symphony of the Seas that I needed to nitpick as a way to rank her decrease on the listing.
Merely put, I favor Hairspray over Concord’s Broadway manufacturing of Grease, and I would favor if the ship had a pool within the Solarium versus simply jacuzzis.
Clearly, none of those variations are deal breakers. I’d by no means hesitate to sail on the ship once more, however I’d in all probability choose the opposite ships first.
Attract of the Seas
Considerably unsurprisingly, Attract of the Seas is on the backside of my listing. After making an attempt all six Oasis Class vessels, there’s little doubt that Attract of the Seas is probably the most in want of a refresh.
Launched in 2009, Attract has but to obtain her Royal Amplification, which can add new actions, eating venues, and bars onboard, in addition to renovate current cabins and public areas. On account of this, the ship feels considerably outdated throughout the fleet, particularly when evaluating her to her sister ships.
Associated: Attract of the Seas cruise ship overview
She lacks waterslides, a Splashaway Bay aqua park for youths, and up to date Journey Ocean youngsters programming. Notably, Attract of the Seas is lacking the Final Abyss slide, which travels from the Sports activities Deck to the Boardwalk neighborhood. Though which means that visitors staying in Boardwalk balcony cabins can get pleasure from a less-obstructed view, it additionally means there’s one much less exercise to strive onboard.
So far as eating places, Attract of the Seas lacks the cruise line’s latest ideas, together with Playmakers Sports activities Bar and Arcade and Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen. As a substitute, you’ll discover venues you gained’t discover on most different Royal Caribbean ships, corresponding to Sabor Mexican restaurant and Samba Grill Brazilian steakhouse.
As well as, the cabins on Attract of the Seas really feel extra dated than cabins on different Oasis Class ships. There are usually not as many retailers accessible all through the room, and the cabin’s decor and furnishings may use a refurbishment.
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Nonetheless, Royal Caribbean’s basic Oasis Class options are nonetheless there, together with a tranquil Central Park, dynamic Boardwalk, and bustling Royal Promenade. As well as, I had no complaints concerning the ship’s leisure, which contains a Broadway manufacturing of Mamma Mia together with ice-skating and AquaTheater exhibits.
Fortuitously, Attract of the Seas is ready to obtain an amplification within the spring of 2025. Official adjustments and new venues are but to be introduced, however it may be assumed that she is going to obtain the road’s latest renditions of eating places and onboard actions. Following her amplification, she is going to probably be on an excellent taking part in discipline along with her sister ships.