By
Rebecca Gibson |
Royal Caribbean International’s 200,000gt Oasis of the Seas made her inaugural call at the UK port of Southampton on 15 October.
Oasis of the Seas, which is 40% larger than any other cruise ship to ever dock in the UK and the largest in the world, sailed into Southampton after departing from the Keppel Verolme shipyard in Rotterdam, Netherlands, where she recently underwent a refit. It is estimated that the ship’s visit will generate almost £0.5 million in direct spending for the UK economy.
To accommodate the ship’s more than 5,400 guests and 2,394 crew members, Southampton port provided 20 extra check-in desks, additional security and x-ray equipment and car parking facilities for more than 150 coaches.
The vessel is scheduled to leave Southampton at 23:59 GMT on 15 October to ensure the tidal conditions are at a premium level and to allow her to execute a three-point turn without disruption from other river traffic. The ship is due to arrive at her final destination in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on 27 November.
Launched in 2009, Oasis of the Seas features a real outdoor park with more than 12,000 plants, 56 trees, and 62 vines, as well as several industry firsts. These include a moving bar, which ascends and descends over three decks; an 82-foot zip line; an aquatic amphitheatre; a beach pool; and a full Broadway show. In addition, the ship also has the deepest pool at sea, the longest jogging track at sea and the first ever acrobatic, synchronised and high dive performances by the cast of the Olympic and National Collegiate Athletic Association of divers.
On 31 October, a second Royal Caribbean cruise ship – the line’s latest newbuild Quantum of the Seas – is scheduled to sail a short roundtrip from Southampton, while her sister ship – the 4,180-guest Anthem of the Seas – will be launched at the port next April. Anthem of the Seas will then offer Mediterranean cruises until late autumn 2015.
“Anthem of the Seas is the most technologically advanced holiday resort in the world and it is hugely exciting that this new ship will be sailing from the UK,” said Stuart Leven, managing director, UK and Ireland, Royal Caribbean International. “It brings so many opportunities for agents who can truly show off a ship that challenges the expectations of travellers when it comes to holidays at sea. We hope that our extensive investments into new ships, new technology and new ideas are making it easier than ever to sell a cruise.”