Oasis of the Seas

Theater and Shows on Oasis of the Seas

The bulk of Oasis of the Seas' live entertainment takes place in the Entertainment Zone on Deck 4. Keep in mind that none of the ship's venues can accommodate everyone who wants to see a show; if your heart is set on not missing out, you'll have to book before you get onboard. If you didn't plan ahead, try to make reservations with Guest Services, either in person or over the phone, or show up at the venue at least 15 minutes before showtime to see if you can get in. Comedy-lovers will also want to book shows, as it's one of the first venues to fill up in advance.

The ship's main theater features a variety of evening entertainment, including an abridged version of Broadway show "Cats" and original show "One Sky." The latter aims to show that we're all one family, regardless of our differences, but despite the happy message, the show itself is an odd combo of "Rock of Ages" grunge music, unsynchronized dancing and mediocre aerial acrobatics.

Absolutely do not miss the

AquaTheater

. The 30-minute shows feature a team of Olympic-caliber divers, gymnasts and synchronized swimmers who splash down into the deepest diving pool at sea in a routine set to music. The newest show is Aqua80, which sets all of these feats to music from the 1980s.

Daily Things to Do on Oasis of the Seas

Oasis of the Seas is on high adrenaline constantly; it's a ship where you can begin your day with exercise classes at dawn and boogie down until way past midnight. This is the cruise to book if you have people in your party who fear downtime, as there is almost always something to see or do.

For shops and bars, head to the

Royal Promenade

, or for a lovely respite from the buoyant energy that otherwise permeates Oasis of the Seas, check out

Central Park

, with its 12,175 plants and 56 trees. Central Park is open to the sky and, interestingly, through the use of wind-controlling technology, there's a lovely breeze blowing through the area. Restaurants are quieter there, and passengers will find lots of peaceful nooks for simply curling up with a good book.

Cruisers interested in more social pursuits can check out a rotating schedule of trivia, pub games, ice skating, dance classes, art auctions and other activities. At various times, the ship's ice rink is converted into a laser tag arena, and anyone looking for a way to exercise the mind can sign up for "Mission Control: Apollo 18," Oasis' onboard escape room, in which passengers solve puzzles from inside a room that's a replica of mission control.

Nightlife on Oasis of the Seas

At night, in addition to a plethora of theater shows, entertainment options include always-booked comedy acts in Blaze, slot machines and table games in the active and expansive Casino Royale, live music and dancing in a number of bars that are open until late, impressive ice skating performances and game shows in Studio B and standing-room-only singalongs in the Royal Promenade's intimate Spotlight Karaoke.

Oasis of the Seas Bars and Lounges

Bars are hopping on Oasis of the Seas, and the ship does a brisk business in drink packages.

Bar highlights include:

Blaze (Deck 4): Blaze serves as the ship's club and comedy venue, which focuses on hip-hop and modern dance music, and it's frequently packed with people prepped to par-tay.

Jazz on 4 (Deck 4): This jazz club is a must for live music fans. Despite a prominent position in the ship's Entertainment Zone, the club is usually not crowded, and it's a nice place to listen to music without feeling too overwhelmed.

Diamond Club (Deck 4): The lounge for those "loyal to Royal" is a two-story area on Deck 11 that comes with a view of the Boardwalk. Members can come in for complimentary daily snacks and drinks from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Spotlight Karaoke (Deck 5): Release your inner rock star at this fun bar for karaoke. Choose the main stage if you’re brave or book a private room. Other musical events, like Name that Tune and other musical trivia, are also held here.  

Bionic Bar (Deck 5): This quirky watering hole is manned by two robotic arms that take orders via tablets. Passengers choose their alcohol, mixers, ice and garnishes, as well as how many parts of each, and then watch as the arms craft the concoctions using dozens of bottles of spirits suspended from the ceiling. It's not always perfect, and sometimes there are spills, but a human crew member is always nearby to assist. To claim your drink, simply scan your card at the counter, and your drink will slide over to you. The

Bionic Bar

is a place you'll visit more for the social media-worthiness than for the drinks themselves.

Boleros (Deck 5): Live Latin music and a location in the heart of the ship mean that this club feels energetic, crowded and fun. Since Oasis draws many international passengers who love to dance, be prepared to be impressed by fancy footwork.

Rising Tide Bar (Deck 5): Sure, it's a gimmick, but who cares? It's fun. Patrons board this hydraulic space on Deck 5 in the busy Royal Promenade to drink and socialize as the platform slowly rises to Deck 8's Central Park and back down again. Do it once for the novelty.

Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade (Deck 6): This expansive sports bar runs a significant length of the Boardwalk's port side and features a two-room setup with seating, tabletop games like Jenga and foosball, and plenty of TVs so you won't miss the big game. One room is home to a bar with an impressive number of beers and cocktails, while the other offers classic arcade games like Mario Brothers, Donkey Kong and Pac-Man

Schooner Bar (Deck 6): Tucked up in a corner of the Royal Promenade, the Schooner Bar does double duty. During the day, it's home to numerous trivia contests. At night, it's a piano bar, where passengers indulge in classic cocktails while singing along.

Music Hall (Decks 8 and 9): This two-story nightclub hosts live cover bands. Dancing usually ends around midnight or 1 a.m.

Lime & Coconut (Decks 15 and 16): Replacing the ship's former Pool Bar and Sand Bar on Deck 15 and the Sky Bar and Mast Bar on Deck 16,

Lime & Coconut

is a cluster of four nearly identical bars that span two decks. Because of their central location near the main pool and sun deck areas, they're perfect for fruity alfresco drinks surrounded by colorful and comfy seating. Sadly, only one of the four was open after dinner when we went to check it out, and it was on the port side of the ship, which allows smoking, making the experience difficult to enjoy.

Pools, Waterslides and Sundecks on Oasis of the Seas

Oasis of the Seas has 10 hot tubs and three main pools -- the Main Pool, Sports Pool and Beach Pool -- as well as a covered Solarium Pool, which is restricted to passengers older than 16. All four of these are found on Deck 15.

Because it's divided in two by the Boardwalk and Central Park neighborhoods, the top deck pools and outdoor spaces on Oasis of the Seas can seem too cramped in some areas compared to other mega-ships. Shade, in particular, is at a premium. Go early, and target The Beach pool. It's saltwater and the only one with umbrellas. It also offers a gentle "zero entry" slope that allows swimmers to wade into the water.

The Sports Pool is great for more active water babies, as it features lap swimming and in-pool team sports like basketball and water polo.

Sun-lovers should seek out the lounge chairs around the pools and the Deck 15 Skywalk that runs between them. Deck 14 also has an extensive sun deck, complete with two observation platforms that stick out over the ocean. Suite passengers have their own keycard-accessible sun deck on Deck 17.

The adults-only Solarium complex has been expanded outdoors but still offers a covered pool. Like the rest of the ship, the Solarium can be crowded on sea days, but overall, we found it more pleasant than the main pool areas.

Cruisers looking for a side of thrills with their pool deck experience can check out the

Perfect Storm

trio of water slides, and families will enjoy Splashaway Bay, a water play area that features dump buckets and water sprayers. We saw a steady stream of kids frequenting these areas.

Ultimate Abyss, FlowRider and Other Activites on Oasis of the Seas

Oasis of the Seas has lots of fun features to entice kids of all ages, but you'll want to watch out for age, height and weight requirements to avoid disappointment. Also make sure you bring the right gear. (Socks are required for rock climbing, for example, and closed-toe shoes are necessary for ziplining.) One-on-one instruction is free, by appointment, for rock climbing but not for surfing. That's available for a fee.

Prep your kids (and yourself) for wipe outs on the

FlowRider

; this is not the place to wear your skimpy bikini. You'll have to sign a waiver to take to the waves, and if you want to surf, you'll be required to "body board" for a minimum of five seconds before you'll be allowed to try it standing up.

For kids who aren't old enough to do the more challenging activities, there's always basketball on the sports court, mini-golf and table tennis. The Boardwalk, too, with its Coney Island vibe and merry-go-round music, is a charming alternative for young ones. You don't have to have a child in tow to ride the carousel, however. It's free, fun and has plenty of cool painted horses and animals to delight the young and young at heart.

To get quickly from Deck 15 to the Boardwalk, try the

Ultimate Abyss

, Oasis' 10-deck twin dry slides, which spiral down to Deck 6, facing the carousel. The enclosed slide is a bit dark on the inside, but it's accented with colorful lights that will make it a bit less scary for younger riders.

Smoking is permitted in select areas throughout the vessel, including the casino and certain outdoor decks on the port side of the ship. It is not allowed on cabin balconies.

Oasis of the Seas Services

Guest Services -- where passengers can go to make reservations, check their onboard bills and ask general questions -- is found on Deck 5 in the Royal Promenade, as are several shops selling everything from toiletries, logowear and duty-free alcohol and cigarettes to designer jewelry and handbags.

Deck 6, where cruisers will find the photo gallery and camera shop, is also where they can go to book shore excursions or their next cruise. More shops and the Central Park Library are located in Deck 8's Central Park neighborhood.

Art lovers can check out the art gallery on Deck 4, and ATMs are located on Deck 5, but fees are high.

Other services include the Padi Dive Shop on Deck 15, a two-story card room with games on Decks 11 and 12, a medical center on Deck 2 and a conference center on Deck 3. The ship does not have an internet cafe or self-service laundry facilities; clothes can be sent out to be laundered or dry-cleaned and/or pressed for a fee.

Oasis of the Seas restaurants represent American, Italian, Asian and Mexican cuisines, as well as multiple free daytime snack options. So, how many restaurants are there on Oasis of the Seas? A whopping two dozen free and added-fee dining options spread over 10 decks. Vegetarian, gluten-free, low-calorie and lactose-free options are always available in the main dining rooms.

To many, Oasis of the Seas dining may not be the highlight of the trip – this is one ship where you will want to allocate some money for specialty dining, as the quality of the complimentary restaurants on Oasis of the Seas, especially in the main dining rooms and buffet, is not particularly good. We received mealy shrimp, chicken Marsala without sauce and perhaps the strangest looking preparation of escargot we've had. Foodies will want to look elsewhere on the ship to eat.

In terms of crowds, the buffet and main dining rooms can get overwhelmed at peak times, particularly on smart casual nights. Those on My Time Dining on Oasis of the Seas (where you can enter the dining room any time you'd like between set hours) may also find that being allocated a seat can be quite challenging during rush hours. Interactive Wayfinder signage around the ship tells you which venues have the most room. Most of the other restaurants on Oasis of the Seas offer a more relaxing dining experience.

Free Dining on Oasis of the Seas

Main Dining Room (Decks 3, 4 and 5)
Meals: Breakfast (B), Lunch (L), Dinner (D)

The Oasis of the Seas sprawling main dining room spans three decks. Dinners are served as three courses. Menu items range from French to American to Italian. Meat-lovers can also indulge in premium cuts from the Chops steakhouse or a lobster tail for a charge. Desserts range from sweets and fruit to ice cream and sorbets.

All restaurants are fairly noisy, with friendly wait staff who frequently parade and sing.

Coastal Kitchen (Deck 17)
Meals: B, L, D

Coastal Kitchen is the Oasis of the Seas dedicated restaurant for suite passengers. It is spectacular, with several-story windows providing incredible views. Breakfast is similar to the main dining rooms, while lunch items are a bit lighter. Two Mediterranean-inspired menus are available for dinner, which is by reservation only.

Windjammer Marketplace (Deck 16)
Meals: B, L, D

The Oasis of the Seas buffet is perhaps the one place onboard where you really feel that you're sailing with 6,000 people. At breakfast and lunch on sea days, the area is hectic, with lines at popular stations and very few places to sit. It's much more manageable when the ship is in port.

Breakfast has typical options, as well as selections for international travelers and an entire gluten-free station. Lunch has cold selections; burgers, fries and hot entrees; and a selection of cakes and desserts. 

Windjammer

 becomes calmer at dinner, with a range of American and some international entrees.

**Park Café (Deck 8)
Meals: B, L, D **

Park Cafe wins accolades for its signature roast beef sandwiches and salads. It's a nice alternative to Windjammer in the mornings.

El Loco Fresh (Deck 15)
Meals: L, D

El Loco Fresh on Oasis of the Seas is a complimentary open-air counter service Mexican eatery on the starboard side of Deck 15. There, passengers will find chicken and beef burritos, chicken and cheese quesadillas, rice, beans and tortilla chips -- all kept under heat lamps. A nearby salsa bar provides salsa, guacamole, sour cream and other toppings and condiments.

Sorrento’s (Deck 5)
Meals: Open 24/7

Unlike on other Royal Caribbean ships,

Sorrento's

 on Oasis of the Seas is not great. It serves several types of slices daily and gives you the option to create your own, but the result is chewy and uninspiring.

Boardwalk Dog House (Deck 6)
Meals: L, D

The Boardwalk Dog House serves -- what else? -- sausages of various types (chicken, all beef, bratwurst) with toppings and potato salad.

Café Promenade (Deck 5)
Meals: Open 24/7

Cafe Promenade

 is the Oasis of the Seas 24-hour café. It has specialty coffee drinks for a fee, as well as the regular stuff for free. Free pastries, sandwiches and sweets are available at breakfast and throughout the day; the ham and cheese croissants are good for a nosh.

Solarium Bistro (Deck 15)
Meals: B, L, D

On the lower floor of the two-story space on Oasis of the Seas set aside for those older than 16, the Solarium Bistro provides complimentary healthy cuisine for breakfast, lunch and dinner. A dessert buffet features low-fat and no-sugar offerings.

Vitality Spa Café (Deck 6)
Meals: Juice Bar

Essentially a juice counter located inside the spa, Oasis of the Seas’ Vitality Café attracts health-conscious passengers with a menu that offers free low-fat pastries and yogurt parfaits, as well as green and fruit smoothies (which cost extra).

Room Service
Meals: B, L, D

Free Continental breakfast items can be ordered via menus that passengers fill out the night before and hang outside their cabin doors. A 24/7 menu with an expanded list of hot and cold items is available for a fee.

Oasis of the Seas Specialty Dining and Other For-Free Options

Oasis of the Seas specialty restaurants range from casual spots for a quick bite to elegant venues offering an exclusive dining experience. There are 11 specialty and for-fee dining options onboard, and the vast majority are well worth the extra charge.

Izumi (Deck 4); a la carte for sushi; prix fixe for pan-Asian and hibachi
Meals: L, D

Izumi

on Oasis of the Seas offers thee choices: hibachi, complete with knife-juggling chefs and your food cooked on the grill in front of you; pan-Asian, with a variety of dishes to choose from; or the sushi bar, where the fish is good quality, and you can order rolls, sashimi, seaweed salad and other favorites like gyoza dumplings.

150 Central Park (Deck 8); prix fixe
Meals: D

The most upscale specialty restaurant on Oasis of the Seas, 150 Central Park has a six-course dinner menu developed by Michael Schwartz. Wine pairings are available for an extra charge. On a seven-night cruise, the 

150 Central Park

 menu changes twice on oasis of the Seas. The restaurant will substitute a course if you don't like an ingredient or have dietary restrictions.

Portside BBQ (Deck 15); prix fixe
Meals: L, D

Portside BBQ, Royal Caribbean's first barbecue restaurant, serves up an entree, two sides and dessert for a flat per-person fee on the port side of Deck 15, near the ship's zipline and miniature golf course. Mains include a turkey leg, chicken wings or a choice of a turkey, pulled pork or brisket sandwich. Sides like mac 'n' cheese, fries or coleslaw round out the meal, and you'll want to grab a couple of "bookies" for dessert. This is, hands down, the best barbecue we've ever had at sea.

Starbucks (Deck 5); a la carte
Meals: Snacks

Royal Caribbean's at-sea Starbucks outlet; note that Starbucks-branded drinks are not included in any drink packages. The Oasis of the Seas Starbucks is located on Deck 5 forward, near the end of the Royal Promenade.

Sugar Beach (Deck 6); a la carte
Meals: Snacks

This candy store, found along the Boardwalk, offers prepackaged sweets and candy by the pound, as well as ice cream. A walk-up window allows cruisers to order scoops even when the main venue is closed.

Johnny Rockets (Deck 6); prix fixe, plus a la carte drinks and shakes
Meals: B, L, D

This suburban staple serves up burgers, fries and shakes in the heart of the Boardwalk. Lunch and dinner at 

Johnny Rockets

 on Oasis of the Seas costs extra, but it's free in the morning for breakfast sandwiches and other morning standards.

Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade (Deck 6); a la carte
Meals: L, D

The menu at Playmakers centers on bar-style food like burgers, nachos, wings, potato skins and pulled pork sliders, but there are a few surprises that include a Caesar salad. If you don't want to watch the big game while you eat, the bar's location on the Boardwalk offers plenty of people-watching as an alternative.

Vintages (Deck 8); a la carte
Meals: L, D

In terms of its decor and menu, this Central Park wine bar is a pleasant place for oenophiles. Despite this, the space seemed underused, and the wine tastings were pricy, even for serious sippers. At lunch and dinnertime, tapas are available, or sometimes the bar puts out an all-you-can-eat buffet for a flat fee.

Chops Grille (Deck 8); prix fixe (lunch and dinner have different prices; kids’ menus available)
Meals: L (sea days only), D

Royal Caribbean's signature steakhouse is the most popular specialty restaurant on Oasis and one of the few places you can get lobster. Reservations are highly recommended. The set price at 

Chops Grille

on Oasis of the Seas includes two appetizers, one entree (although you can order another for an extra charge), sides for sharing and multiple desserts if you're still hungry. Extra-fee choices include 16-ounce dry-aged strip steaks and 20-ounce porterhouse. The server also brought out a monster Tomahawk chop that could have fed the entire table.

Giovanni’s Table (Deck 8); prix fixe
Meals: L, D

This Italian trattoria, offers quality food and no upselling. The set price at 

Giovanni's

 Table on Oasis of the Seas includes family-style appetizers and entrees. Pasta dishes come as a side or entree. A dessert cart comes around at the end; if you're too full, take the tiramisu to go for a late-night snack.

Chef’s Table (Deck 17); prix fixe
Meals: D

This special six-course dinner, complete with wine pairings and limited to just 14 diners, is held twice per cruise. Participants meet in the Champagne Bar for a drink first and then head to a special table set up in the Suite Lounge. You'll receive a copy of your menu to take home. We recommend Chef's Table over 150 Central Park for wine-lovers, as we found the pairings there to be a better value. Keep in mind that Chef's Table on Oasis of the Seas forces you to be social, while 150 Central Park has tables for couples and groups. The Chef's Table can also last a long time, up to three or four hours. Reservations are essential.