Is the Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas a good choice for families? We hopped on board to find out if it’s a good place to share with toddlers or teens alike.
Oasis of the Seas offers a wide range of activities for children of all ages. Families who have sailed on this ship have shared their experiences in our Facebook group, highlighting the numerous amenities and entertainment options available for kids. We love Oasis of the Seas, the first Ship in the Oasis Class! Here is our review of this fantastic family ship.
What Does Oasis of the Seas Have for Kids and is it Worth the Trip?
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The Oasis of the Seas stretches an impressive 1,187 feet long is a true marvel of engineering. This floating city is designed to accommodate up to 6,360 guests and boasts an astounding array of features, including over 20 diverse restaurants, a thrilling zip line, a full size Carousel, mini golf, a 10 story slide and a lush park filled with real plants and trees. But how does it appeal for children?
Oasis of the Seas, the very first Oasis Class ship, made her debut in 2009 and set a new standard for the cruise industry. By unveiling innovative features like an open-design aft and introducing unique neighborhoods such as Central Park and The Boardwalk, she completely transformed the cruising experience and redefined what a modern cruise ship could offer.
Activities and Entertainment Onboard Oasis of the Seas for Kids
Let‘s start by looking at the overall entertainment that is available for adults and kids alike on Oasis of the Seas in our review. We hopped onboard and also asked members of our Cruise Facebook group what their thoughts were on this magnificent ship.
Shows Onboard Oasis of The Seas
Children have been captivated by performances like the Aqua 80 water show and the Ice Show. These productions are not only entertaining but also family-friendly, making them suitable for all ages. However Cats The musical is not that popular with children and there are some adult comedy shows that you cannot take children in to. Frozen In Time is my favourite show because it’s an ice skating show our kids loved it too.
Rock Climbing Wall
The Oasis ship features a rock climbing wall that our kids have enjoyed multiple times during our cruise. Royal Caribbean provides climbing shoes, but guests should bring their own socks.
Ice Skating
The ship offers ice skating sessions, with Royal Caribbean providing the skates for adults and children. Guests should bring long pants and socks. They also do Laser Tag, great activity that has been a hit among our children. It’s advisable to wear closed-toe shoes for this experience.
Dry Slide (Abyss)
This 10 story thrilling slide experience that our kids have enjoyed multiple times throughout our voyage. It is a fantastic way to get down to Playmakers quickly, the kids loved it!
Zip Line
The Zip Line soars across the Boardwalk. It can be booked daily weather permitting.
FlowRider
The surf simulator has always been a big hit with our kids—they couldn’t get enough of it and tried it multiple times during our cruise. As for me, though, it’s not quite my speed—I’ll admit, I just don’t have the stamina for it!
Mini-Golf
Is great fun and an engaging activity that our families have enjoyed together on multiple occasions.
Sports Court
The Ball Court is the perfect area for kids to unwind. The sports zone on Oasis includes an outdoor Sports Court, aft of deck 15 where guests can take part in games of basketball, volleyball and soccer ( football )
Splash Area For Toddlers
The ship boasts three large water slides and a dedicated kids’ splash area, which includes an additional water slide suitable for younger children. If you’re cruising with little ones or toddlers, Oasis of the Seas has so much to offer for kids—and it’s a game-changer for parents! One of the highlights is Splashaway Bay, a vibrant water park designed especially for pint-sized adventurers. Watching your little ones laugh and play in this fun-filled space is pure joy.
Carousel On the Boardwalk
Located on the Boardwalk, the carousel has been a delightful attraction for kids, with families riding it numerous times.
Swimming Pools
There are three sizable swimming pools on the ship. On port days, when the ship is less crowded, families can enjoy a bit more space sometimes having the pool to themselves.
Kid’s Clubs on Oasis of the Seas, Adventure Ocean
The ship offers dedicated kids’ areas with various activities. However, some families have noted that the structure of the kids’ clubs can feel too structured, with all children required to participate in the same activities simultaneously. Additionally, there have been concerns about the lack of a pager system for parents, as communication was primarily through room phones, which might not be ideal when parents are away from their rooms.
Us, however felt that our older children and teens love the kids activities in the older room and teen room. Kids Clubs are packed full of fun activities and all of the latest toys and technology’s.
Royal Caribbean’s Adventure Ocean club consists of the following groups:
- Aquanauts: For children aged 3-5 years
- Explorers: For children aged 6-8 years
- Voyagers: For children aged 9-12 years
- Youngers Teens: 13-14 years
- Older Teens: 15-17 years
We found that each group was quite accurately tailored to the child’s age. Our teens loved meeting up on the first day to make friends for the rest of the cruise in the teen camp, Fuel and The Living Room,
All children’s activities are overseen by experienced male and female youth staff. Each staff member is required to hold a four-year university degree or an equivalent qualification in education or recreation. Additionally, they must have a minimum of three years of professional experience working with children aged six months to 17 years.
Dining Experience Onboard for Children
While the ship offers a variety of dining options, some families have observed that the main dining experience may not be as accommodating for young children. For instance, there are only glasses without lids, and while there are kids’ menus, they remain the same every night and do not come with crayons. There have also been instances where dietary restrictions were not adequately addressed, leading to some dissatisfaction.
However in our personal experience we like the fact that the children could also eat from the main menu. The Staff were accommodating in the main restaurant. There are also a range of other restaurants and of course the buffet. In the buffet the choice is very wide. Our teens loved the Buffet as they could come and go as much as they pleased.
Sorrento’s Pizza
Sorrento’s pizza is also a good choice serving pizza, sandwiches and cookies daily and right in to the early hours! A big hit with the kids.
Johnny Rockets
Johnny Rockets is always a good hit with the kids. You can eat breakfast there in the morning and it was included. If you have the refreshment package then you can get the milkshakes included too. Other daily menus here are at an extra charge.
The Boardwalk Doghouse
The Board walk Dog house is also a great choice and a fun option for adults and kids alike.
So is Oasis a good Choice?
We have had a great time both times we have sailed onboard Oasis and we really didn’t want to get off. Other families have reported having a fantastic time aboard the Oasis of the Seas, with the ship offering a wide range of activities that cater to children of all ages. The major challenge noted was not having enough time to experience everything the ship has to offer. There is simply so much to do onboard. The ship’s amenities and entertainment options have left such a positive impression that families have expressed eagerness to book future cruises on similar ships.
In our view, the Oasis of the Seas offers a well-rounded and highly enjoyable experience for families. Packed with a variety of activities and entertainment options tailored to keep children engaged and families entertained, the ship ensures there’s something for everyone. From exciting treasure hunts to family-friendly quizzes, boredom is simply not an option on this remarkable Ship!
