STX France cuts steel for Royal Caribbean's Oasis 4

STX France has started the construction of Royal Caribbean International’s fourth Oasis-class ship at its Saint Nazaire yard in France.

To mark the start of the construction phase, the yard held a steel-cutting ceremony on 3 February, which was attended by representatives form both Royal Caribbean and STX France.

Designed as a sister ship to Oasis of the Seas, Allure of the Seas and the third Oasis-class ship, the newbuild will debut in 2018 and will feature a split superstructure and the cruise line’s ‘neighbourhood’ concept of seven distinct themed areas.

The 225,282gt newbuild will span 16 decks and offer 2,700 staterooms, as well as an 82ft zip line, a handcrafted carousel, the Rising Tide bar, the AquaTheater high-diving performance venue, and the Central Park with more than 12,000 live trees and plants. Other features include twin FlowRider surf simulators, cantilevered whirlpools, an ice-skating rink, the H2O Zone kids aquapark, and the Royal Promenade, an interior boulevard that stretches nearly the length of the ship and flanked by restaurants, lounges and boutiques.

STX France is also working on Oasis 3.