Much has already been written about the Oasis of the Seas, the largest and most innovative ship in the world. But what does it all mean to meeting and event planners? Seasite gives you 11 reasons (we couldn’t stop at 10!) why you should consider the amazing Oasis or sister ship Allure of the Seas for your next group event.

1)      Most Innovative Ship Afloat is the Ultimate Incentive Reward – Soaring 16 stories, Oasis of the Seas’ groundbreaking design breaks all the rules – a floating park with over 12,000 trees, plants and flowers. A bustling, hip urban environment on a ship. Ultra-chic Loft suites. An exhilarating zip line at sea. All this and more on the world’s biggest ship will inspire your most jaded/been there-done that meeting attendee or incentive qualifier and give them something to talk about for years to come. Trust us; we thought we had seen it all until we stepped aboard the Oasis of the Seas!

2)      Welcome to the Neighborhood – All 7 of Them! Oasis is a floating city with parks and trees and a boardwalk with a carousel in the middle of the ocean. Other neighborhoods: Solarium, Entertainment Place, Vitality Spa, Royal Promenade, Sports Deck/Pool – great venues for a pre-dinner reception.

Common Concerns – Lost at Sea & Crowd Control: You might be concerned about finding your way around  a ship this large.  Not to worry – it’s easy to find your way around the Oasis  due to smart, intuitive ship design. Even our own “directionally challenged” CEO Jo Kling found the ship “easier to navigate than smaller ships because of the abundant fast elevators and touch screens showing your path to where you want to go”.  Architect, design, and engineering teams have created an innovative ship that  seamlessly manages the flow of passengers and minimize lines for dining, entertainment, embarkation and debarkation.

3)      Multiple Dining Choices –Oasis has an impressive 24 dining options including nine specialty restaurants. Palate-pleasing choices include a trendy and upscale restaurant with tasting menu and paired wines, signature steak house with views of Central Park, casual indoor/outdoor Seafood Shack on the Boardwalk, and health-conscious Solarium Bistro Lots of options for easy-to-plan dine-around events or corporate buy-outs – a great way to entertain your top performers.

4)      Entertainment – In a word -WOW! Here are just a few of the impressive entertainment choices onboard the Oasis: Aqua Theater, an amazing amphitheater-style space with professional diving and theatrical performances; state-of-the-art Theater featuring three spectacular shows including the Broadway sensation Hairspray; Studio B with magical ice shows; Rockin’ Rhythm Nation Street Party – a celebration on the Royal Promenade. Want more evening diversions? How about cool jazz in the sophisticated lounge, live comedy improv, a trendy dance club, or spirited sing-alongs in the Irish Pub?

5)      Amazing Onboard Facilities – Oasis is more than a ship; it’s a collection of experiences that your attendees will remember long after their cruise. Here’s a sampling: 21 pools including a “Beach Pool” with gently sloped sandy shore (vibrant beach party held here); first at-sea zip line that whizzes your thrill-seeking attendees 9 decks high across the ship; the Solarium, an adult-dedicated haven of relaxation; 2-deck high Asian-inspired Spa and Fitness Center; Rising Tide Bar that glides between three decks from Central Park to the Royal Promenade with impressive views; and Sports Deck with two FlowRiders, two Rock Climbing Walls, a full basketball court, miniature golf and more.

6)      Dedicated Conference & Meeting Space – There’s plenty of meeting space with built-in AV and connectivity onboard Oasis. The ship boasts a dedicated conference center that can be divided into four flexible rooms; Studio B Ice Rink with 11,441 square feet of exhibit space; a multi-purpose show lounge with a capacity of 1,394 guests; and a variety of themed lounges and public areas that can be utilized for meetings and group events. Consult the Oasis Planner’s Guide on Seasite.com for grids and a list of meeting/function/dining room capacities (click Planners Guide tab, then Meeting Space Grid button).

7)      State-of-the-Art A/V, Onboard Technology, and Connectivity Options – You’ll find the latest A/V technology onboard to support your meetings and events including: Plasma Screen TV’s, AMX touch panels, overhead projectors, monitors and VCR’s, screens and LCD projectors.

Wi-Fi and mobile phone service is available throughout the ship and in staterooms. In addition, “Royal Connect” smart phones, available for rent, allow attendees to text each other, locate their stateroom-mates, and track their kids in real time.

Digital signage will give your attendees up-to-the-minute information about dining and entertainment onboard the ship and interactive touch screens map the way. Even the Oasis’ photo gallery is high-tech – attendees can view professional photographs at interactive digital kiosks.

8)     Unique Accommodations for Large Groups of up to 5,400– Finally! If you have a large group of up to 5,400 persons, you can all cruise together on the Oasis of the Seas.  With 2,700 staterooms and 37 different categories (including 10 types of suites) meeting planners have more choice of accommodations. The 27 Loft Suites are chic and super-functional, resembling floating city apartments with incredible views from double-height windows and private balconies. Other unique accommodations range from family suites that sleep six to balcony staterooms that overlook the Boardwalk, Central Park, or the seven seas – all with premium bedding and flat-screen interactive HDTV’s.

9)      Customization & Teambuilding – Here are just a few of the ways you can make your Oasis of the Seas program a unique experience: customized menu covers and desserts, a private ice show, customized shore excursions, pre-paid beverage packages, and personalized door plaques with program logo. Onboard teambuilding options include rock climbing, FlowRider surfing, scavenger hunts and team trivia. Challenge your team with Beach Olympics on one of Royal Caribbean’s private island destinations.

10)  New Port Terminal in Port Everglades (Ft. Lauderdale, Florida) – Oasis of the Seas’ new state-of-the-art cruise terminal features a play area for kids, free Wi-Fi access, and 90 check-in counters. Most importantly, your attendees will enjoy seamless embarkation on sailing day as well as a smooth debarkation experience at the end of their cruise.

11)  Lots of Included Stuff Means Great Value – As amazing as Oasis of the Seas is, what’s even more incredible is all that’s included with your cruise program. Onboard the ship: meals in main restaurant and several other dining venues plus room service and ‘round-the-clock snacks, nightly entertainment, activities for all ages, expansive fitness facilities and sports deck. For meetings: function space and AV equipment plus coffee breaks (all you pay is $1 per person service fee)

Oh, and one more reason to celebrate – Oasis of the Seas’ sparkling new sister ship, Allure of the Seas, will be setting sail December 2010.

More Information:

• Click here to view the Oasis Planner’s Guide on Seasite.com and learn more about Royal Caribbean’s spectacular Oasis of the Seas.
• Request a Group Quote for Oasis or call 888-713-1371 today to speak with one of our expert Cruise Advisors (int’l callers: 305-403-3002).

Filed under: Cruise News, Meeting & Incentive News, Miscellaneous