At Sea with Doug Newman

Royal Caribbean has announced Boardwalk and Royal Promenade, two more “neighborhoods” on board its new 220,000 GT, 5,400-berth Oasis of the Seas, set to enter service in December 2009, and sister Allure of the Seas, which will debut in 2010. They join the previously announced Central Park and four other as-yet-unannounced neighborhoods, which together will make up the public spaces of these enormous new ships. The company also announced Oasis of the Seas‘ 2009-2010 inaugural season of itineraries from Port Everglades.

Boardwalk will be a family-oriented, open-air space located aft of Central Park, designed to be reminiscent of the seaside piers of England and other classic resort areas like the Coney Island boardwalk. Key features include the first working carousel at sea and AquaTheater, a pool area by day that will transform into an entertainment space at night and also offer SCUBA lessons in the afternoon. It will also feature 28 two-level, loft-style suites with double-height, ocean-view windows, which will be among 37 categories of accommodations on offer aboard the new ships.

Meanwhile, Royal Promenade will be an enhanced version of the same space that has been so popular on the company’s five Voyager-class and three Freedom-class ships. Located beneath Central Park, a focal point will be the previously announced Rising Tide, the first moving bar at sea, which will ascend three decks to Central Park above. Royal Promenade will also be the location of many venues that have become signature spaces for Royal Caribbean over the years, like the Schooner Bar and Champagne Bar, both of which first appeared back in 1988 on Sovereign of the Seas, and the Latin-themed Boleros bar, which is a popular offering on many of the line’s newer and recently-refurbished vessels.

Ever since Royal Caribbean announced that it would be building what was then known as Project Genesis, many cruise enthusiasts have been waiting with bated breath for the opportunity to book a cruise in one of these immense new ships. They’l finally get that opportunity on 3 September 2008, which will undoubtedly be a blockbuster day for bookings at Royal Caribbean. Oasis of the Seas‘ maiden voyage is scheduled for 12 December 2009 and will the first of 19 consecutive seven-night cruises from the ship’s homeport at Port Everglades, Florida to Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; and Nassau, Bahamas. Beginning 1 May 2010, these cruises will alternate will seven-night departures from Port Everglades to Labadee, Haiti; the newly-developed port of Falmouth, Jamaica; and Cozumel, Mexico.

Be sure to take a look at Royal Caribbean’s dedicated Oasis of the Seas web site for more information and images of this spectacular new ship. I’m particularly enamored of the new loft apartments — put one on land and I’d more than gladly live in it!