a new Oasis-class ship to be built

[Denpetter]

according to Finnish media a new Oasis class ship has been ordered by RCCL and will be built in The STX europe shipyard in Turku, Finland.

 

:) estimated to be in service, early 2015.

 

Can't wait!

[BillOh]

I thought I heard 16 as reported here earlier, but I could be wrong. If it is 15, photos will be showing up from the shipyard early next year as they did for Oasis and Allure.

[Denpetter]

I thought I heard 16 as reported here earlier, but I could be wrong. If it is 15, photos will be showing up from the shipyard early next year as they did for Oasis and Allure.

 

2015 is all I've heard. :p

[Tyler80]

I thought I heard 16 as reported here earlier, but I could be wrong. If it is 15, photos will be showing up from the shipyard early next year as they did for Oasis and Allure.

 

Well it was originally slated for delivery in 2016, however if Finnish Media is reporting delivery in 2015, then things must be moving quickly.

[BillOh]

Well it was originally slated for delivery in 2016, however if Finish Media is reporting delivery in 2015, then things must be moving quickly.

 

 

 

Well watching the shipyard site and cams might make the winter waiting to get back on Allure go faster. I don't see anything on their website. But there is an old photo of when Oasis was almost done and Allure was in progress.

[orville99]

Makes sense. RCL just priced a $650 Million unsecured bond offering yesterday - has to be to pay for something big;)

[JAMESCC]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't RCCL say they weren't going to build anymore Oasis size ships? Didn't they say something along the lines, we were insane to build them in the first place? What suddenly changed their minds?

[loman]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't RCCL say they weren't going to build anymore Oasis size ships? Didn't they say something along the lines, we were insane to build them in the first place? What suddenly changed their minds?

 

Probably the money . They pack in the passengers every week on the Oasis and the Allure and they still command a premium over their competitors .

The novelty still has not worn off yet. I must admit that i have been on the Oasis twice , paid the premium, and still think it`s worth it.

cheers

[Eng23]

Interresting timeline. That would put the second Project Sunshine ship and a new Oasis Class ship coming online in the same year (2015).

[Sequim88]

paid the premium, and still think it`s worth it.

 

Just curious... why? What exactly makes it worth it? Size? Destinations? Specific features?

 

Mariner was our first step up in size from Radiance class and we are not altogether sure we liked it as much. Not bad but it felt more crowded despite the extra size. Not sure how we would feel about an Oasis size ship and that many people. But if there is anything extra special besides size we might try Oasis or Allure (or ???) someday.

[Tyler80]

Just curious... why? What exactly makes it worth it? Size? Destinations? Specific features?.

 

Why do some people drive a Chevrolet and some a Cadillac? Options, status... Both are nice cars, but some pay more because they want to.

 

It is obvious that the Oasis Class provides more options for dining and entertainment than any other cruise ship afloat.

 

The Oasis Class also has the largest passenger size ratio of any ship. Meaning there is more space per passenger onboard an Oasis Class ship then there is on a Radiance, Voyager or any other class of ship.

 

Oasis

225,282 GT - 5,400 dbl / 6,360 max

Freedom

154,407 GT - 3,634 dbl / 4,375 max

Voyager

138,279 GT - 3,114 dbl / 3,807 max

Radiance

90,090 GT - 2,139 dbl / 2,502 max

 

I don't know if Radiance passenger figures are correct. Wikipedia and Cruise Critic both list different numbers.

[PeterPan]

Based on your numbers, Oasis has the least space per passenger out of all 4 classes.

 

Oasis 41.72 per passenger

Freedom 42.49 per passenger

Voyager 44.40 per passenger

Radiance 42.11 per passenger

 

All based on double occupancy.

[negc]

Just curious... why? What exactly makes it worth it? Size? Destinations? Specific features?

 

Mariner was our first step up in size from Radiance class and we are not altogether sure we liked it as much. Not bad but it felt more crowded despite the extra size. Not sure how we would feel about an Oasis size ship and that many people. But if there is anything extra special besides size we might try Oasis or Allure (or ???) someday.

 

There are so many things besides size to consider when comparing Oasis and Allure to the other, smaller (relatively speaking) ships in the fleet that it is likely that I will omit some in the following list:

Many more dining venues, more entertainment options including Broadway quality productions (Chicago on Allure, Hairspray on Oasis), Comedy Club, Casino, Aqua Theater, Rising Tides Bar, Loft suites, a better passenger/space ratio than their other ships with well designed traffic patterns which reduce or eliminate that crowded feeling you experienced on Mariner, Central Park and Boardwalk, flow riders, a carousel and zip line to go along with the rock wall and ice rink. We have been on at least one ship in every class of RCI ships, but Oasis class ships are unique and, IMHO, everyone should sail on one at least once just for the experience. Oasis and Allure are perfect ships for multi-generational passengers which is why we are taking our kids and grandkids on Allure in just a few weeks.:) Different classes of ships appeal to different types of cruisers which is why Radiance class ships have the most appeal for us but might not be the right fit for others.

[Yorkvillain]

Probably the money . They pack in the passengers every week on the Oasis and the Allure and they still command a premium over their competitors .

The novelty still has not worn off yet. I must admit that i have been on the Oasis twice , paid the premium, and still think it`s worth it.

cheers

 

Agreed! Definitely worth every penny. Can't wait to go back.

[TomCat32174]

According to Captain Tommie on Allure week of Oct 28:

 

Sunshine, 2014, 2015

Oasis 2016

[Cruising89143]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't RCCL say they weren't going to build anymore Oasis size ships? Didn't they say something along the lines, we were insane to build them in the first place? What suddenly changed their minds?

 

RCI never stated that they should not have built these ships but Richard Fain did state that they thought two would be enough. They have the highest ROI and highest % of on board spending of any class ships in the fleet. Simply said, they are huge money makers.

[JAMESCC]

Ok thanks for the info. I never heard them say they shouldn't have built them, but I remember them being very nervous about the whole process because so much money was wrapped up in the two ships. Anyway I am glad they building another, I'm a big ship guy. You can't make them big enough for me. Hopefully Explorer gets replaced by a Sunshine ship here in NJ, would like a new ship, and a bigger ship. It would just be fun.

[debshomespun]

Many people have said they would not sail on the Oasis ships because they are so large, and the amount of people. We have been on both Oasis and Allure, and even though they are very large ships, they do a fantastic job of distributing the people in many different venues to not even notice you are sailing with over 6,000 other passengers. There are so many choices, and so much to see, it is almost impossible to see and do it all within just 1 week of sailing.

 

The entertainment is also the best we have seen at sea. Very unique types of shows offered.

[waterbug123]

Didn't they say something along the lines, we were insane to build them in the first place? What suddenly changed their minds?

 

Money. In the end, it always comes down to money, and Oasis and Allure have been raking it in.

 

Just curious... why? What exactly makes it worth it?

 

Consumer demand, that's what. Numerous times I've read a post that says something to the effect of, "I would never sail on a ship that big so I don't understand why they want to build another." The reason is that a LOT of people DO like those ships, they been filling them up week after week, and they've been spending money like crazy while onboard.

[BillOh]

we were insane to build them in the first place?

 

Never heard that from an RC employee. They have flocks of people from other cruiselines coming to them just for these ships.

[hubofhockey]

Never heard that from an RC employee. They have flocks of people from other cruiselines coming to them just for these ships.

 

Yup Bill. My family fits that profile. We haven't been on RC since 2006. Our last RC cruise was fine and I'm not really sure why RC got out of our rotation. But the Oasis/Allure became a "must do" for us.

[Sequim88]

Thanks for the thoughts and opinions on what makes these different. I had considered that they might be a good choice if we ever had the resources to take the grandkids. Just trying to frame in my mind what about them makes it worth my paying a premium over other classes. I'm pretty sure we will stick with low cost per night transatlantics and Oasis class won't likely do those. Would actually like to try the accessible Crown Loft Suite but will never be able to afford it barring a financial miracle.

[hallasm]

According to 'Finnfacts' STX Turku shipyard has received an order from the Germany based TUI Cruises. The shipyard will build a cruise ship which is 294 meters long and approximately 36 meters wide. The production of ship starts in summer 2013, the new cruise ship will be delivered in spring 2015 for the German speaking market

TUI Cruises is a joint venture between TUI AG and Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.

So for a different market.

[hallasm]

I was a bit too fast in my previous post!

Royal Caribbean is currently engaged in negotiations for the possible construction of a third Oasis class ship. Expected to be delivered sometime between mid and late 2016, once ordered!

[Cruising89143]

According to 'Finnfacts' STX Turku shipyard has received an order from the Germany based TUI Cruises. The shipyard will build a cruise ship which is 294 meters long and approximately 36 meters wide. The production of ship starts in summer 2013, the new cruise ship will be delivered in spring 2015 for the German speaking market

TUI Cruises is a joint venture between TUI AG and Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.

So for a different market.

 

Actually that is the option for the second TUI ship which was exercised a few weeks ago for delivery in 2015. The first is being delivered in 2014.