The Oasis of the Seas… Day 2… Port Day…
Let’s Call This One… The Big Boat… I mean SHIP. It’s a SHIP!
So today we were in a port that doesn’t match up with where we’re going (the 2016 cruise is the first year the Oasis is cruising the itinerary that we’re going to do with MWS & Friends – so the cruise I’m on doesn’t match up PERFECTLY with the ports. But I’ll be able to tell you all about St. Maarten when we get there on Wednesday – so I’ll save the EXCURSION blog for Wednesday.
OK, so the big elephant in the room is that the size of the ship seems overwhelming to many of you. And I won’t lie, it did me too when we first talked about the Oasis of the Seas. But I can honestly say that moving around the ship and using all of it is EASIER than the previous ships we’ve cruised on. Here are some stats to think about.
Remember the MS Masdaam and MS Westerdam held approximately 1,550 guests. This ship holds around 5,000.
Here are some stats to help it make more sense.
- There are 24 elevators that go from decks 2 all the way to deck 17 on the Oasis of the Seas (Our previous cruises only had 8 elevators total on the ships)
- There are 4 sets of top-to-bottom stairwells on the Oasis of the Seas (Our previous cruises only had 2).
- There are 7 decks of the Oasis of the Seas that host entertainment and walking spaces where you can literally walk from end-to-end without walking among cabins.
- There are over 20 restaurant / food service stations on the ship to match anyone’s tastes (1 Lesson though… don’t tell your daughter that wasabi is avocado… it’s a BAD parenting decision – some of the restaurants do cost a little extra, but many are included. In a few weeks I’ll post an FAQ that will outline each restaurant on the ship. (our previous cruise ships had about 5).
All of that to say, moving around the ship is FAST and EASY. My wife and I have literally felt like this ship is easier to understand than the ships we’ve cruised the last 3 MWS & Friends cruises. Also, we’ve officially found our favorite spot, more about THAT tomorrow when I outline the “DAY-AT-SEA” experience and ship entertainment. Tomorrow I’ll also post images of each level’s maps as they have them on the ship itself. So easy – you’ll see!
Something cool from tonight at dinner, our server was talking to us and asked what I did for a living and I told him we were bringing 1,500 people on the ship next summer with Michael W. Smith he immediately got visibly excited. He started naming all of this favorite Christian singers and bands. He asked for my email and Facebook page so that we can stay in touch and he could tell his other crew members about what’s coming. Reactions like that are why I LOVE MY JOB. This is a guy that works really hard ALL YEAR – only gets 6 weeks at home a year in the Philippines and now he’s genuinely excited to meet all of you next summer. Again, we get to come on this ship and be a light and encouragement to the crew and the people around us who might not know us or WHY WE BELIEVE! Just awesome! If ever there was a moment that I think it clicked how great this cruise is going to be, it was in his reaction.
Just awesome. More experiences, more opportunities. Just MORE!
Tomorrow is our first full “DAY AT SEA” as he we head down to the Virgin Islands. I’ll hit the ship activities and entertainment then….
UNTIL THEN….BLESSINGS FROM SOMEWHERE IN THE ATLANTIC OCEAN / CARIBBEAN!
DLS
DLS
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