Oasis of the Seas Review: Is It Worth It? (The Ship That Redefined Cruising)

There are cruise ships that impress you with size.

And then there are cruise ships that completely redefine what a cruise ship can be.

This Oasis of the Seas review falls firmly into that second category.

Before anything else, I want to be completely transparent—this sailing took place back in 2016. And like many of my early cruises, this was another trip with my mom. But this one felt different.

This was our very first 9-day cruise.

Up until then, most of our sailings had been short—weekend trips, 3 to 7 days getaways. This was the first time we truly settled into cruise life. No rushing. No feeling like it was over too quickly. Just time to explore, relax, and actually experience everything a ship like this has to offer.

And honestly?

That made Oasis feel even bigger.

Because this isn’t just a large ship—it’s a ship that changed the entire industry.

Even years after launch, Oasis still delivers one of the most complete cruise experiences at sea. Between endless activities, incredible public spaces, strong dining variety, and the sheer scale of the vessel, it’s easy to understand why the Oasis Class became such a phenomenon.

What surprised me most, however, is that despite carrying thousands of passengers, the ship rarely felt overwhelmingly crowded. Royal Caribbean International did an exceptional job designing crowd flow and distributing people throughout the ship.

After sailing aboard Oasis, I finally understood why so many cruisers become obsessed with this class.

Quick Verdict

Overall Score: 89/100

Best for:

• Families
• First-time cruisers
• Activity-focused travelers
• Couples
• Long Caribbean itineraries
• Travelers who want “everything” onboard

Not ideal for:

• Travelers seeking intimate luxury cruising
• Those wanting a quiet, traditional cruise atmosphere
• Guests who dislike large ships

Food Review – 8/10

Food aboard Oasis of the Seas was consistently good, though not quite at the level of premium-focused lines like Celebrity Cruises or Disney Cruise Line.

Where Oasis excels is variety.

There is an overwhelming number of included options:

• Park Café
• Solarium Bistro
• Windjammer Marketplace
• Dog House
• Johnny Rockets (breakfast)
• Wipe Out Café
• Promenade Café

If you explore properly, you will absolutely find favorites.

Specialty dining was mixed.

• Vintages stood out as excellent
• Chops Grille and Sabor were good but not unforgettable
• Izumi was the biggest disappointment—overpriced and underwhelming

The Main Dining Room was solid, with formal night being a highlight. Lunch in the MDR, however, is completely skippable given how strong the casual options are.

Cabin Review – 8/10

Cabins aboard Oasis are comfortable, functional, and well-designed for a ship of this size.

For a 9-night cruise, that matters.

The room itself felt average in size, but very usable:

• Good storage
• Excellent balcony size
• Strong layout overall

Since both my mom and I spend a lot of time outside, the balcony was a major plus—especially compared to newer ships where balconies are shrinking.

The shower pressure was phenomenal—one of those small details you don’t appreciate until it’s gone.

Minor issues:

• TV malfunctioned in one room
• AC wasn’t as cold as we would’ve liked
• Décor felt a bit dated

The only reason this doesn’t score higher is because Disney has permanently raised my expectations for cabins.

Internet & Technology – 10/10

This was one of the biggest surprises of the cruise.

The internet was outstanding.

Even the lower-tier package delivered speeds comparable to slow home broadband. At around $10/day during our sailing, it felt like incredible value.

Honestly, if every cruise line offered internet like this, I’d buy Wi-Fi every time.

The TV system was also strong:

• Smooth interface
• Good content selection
• Plenty of channels

The DreamWorks channel quickly became a guilty pleasure.

Only downside: no easy same-day breakfast ordering—but considering how weak the breakfast room service was, that didn’t matter much.

Pools, Jacuzzis & Solarium – 10/10

This is where Oasis separates itself.

• 5 pools
• 10 oversized jacuzzis
• Multiple distinct areas

The real star?

The Solarium.

To this day, it’s my favorite adult-only space at sea.

Massive, open, bright, and genuinely relaxing—it feels more like a resort than a cruise ship. The partially covered design lets in light and breeze naturally, creating one of the best atmospheres onboard.

Add the Solarium Bistro nearby, and it becomes the perfect escape.

Activities – 10/10

If someone is bored on Oasis… that’s on them.

There’s an absurd amount to do:

• FlowRider
• Zip line
• Rock climbing wall
• Mini golf
• Ice skating rink
• Parades
• Game shows

What impressed me most is how well integrated everything is.

Despite the scale, the ship never feels chaotic.

My only critique:

• Some events were scheduled very late (after 11 PM)
• Large venues made certain activities feel less intimate

Still, from an activity standpoint, this ship is nearly impossible to beat.

Entertainment & Shows – 9/10

Entertainment was excellent overall.

The standout?

“Come Fly With Me.”

Easily one of the best productions I’ve seen at sea—and absolutely a must-watch.

The Aqua Show and Ice Shows were also strong, reinforcing Royal Caribbean’s dominance in large-scale entertainment.

The only miss for me:

Cats.

Just didn’t land.

Without “Come Fly With Me,” this score would be lower—but that one show carries serious weight.

Bars & Lounges – 8/10

Plenty of bars, solid service, and minimal wait times.

The highlight is the iconic Rising Tide Bar, moving between decks—a signature Oasis Class feature.

That said, I still miss the classic Viking Crown Lounge concept. Those panoramic observation lounges added something special that newer ships have largely abandoned.

Ship Design & Elegance – 8/10

Oasis has aged extremely well.

The design leans toward:

• Warm tones
• Open spaces
• Clean lines
• Understated elegance

Nothing feels overly flashy or chaotic.

Maintenance was excellent, and the ship remained spotless throughout the cruise.

Central Park, Boardwalk & Unique Features – 10/10

This is what makes Oasis… Oasis.

The concept of neighborhoods at sea still feels revolutionary.

• Central Park → peaceful, green, upscale
• Boardwalk → lively, fun, full of energy

Add:

• Aqua Theater
• Ice skating rink

And you get a ship that still feels unique—even compared to newer builds.

Even with modern gimmicks like go-karts and observation pods on newer ships, there’s something more intentional about Oasis.

Service – 8/10

Service was consistently strong.

• Excellent room stewards
• Friendly crew
• Efficient bar service

You could feel a sense of pride from the crew, which always elevates the experience.

Specialty dining service stood out, while Main Dining Room service was good but slowed by My Time Dining waits.

Tip:
👉 Go early or choose fixed dining.

One issue took longer than expected to resolve, but it was ultimately handled properly.

Final Verdict: Is Oasis of the Seas Worth It?

Absolutely.

This Oasis of the Seas review comes down to one simple realization:

This ship still delivers a true “wow” experience.

Even after sailing multiple ships, Oasis feels different.

People worry about size—but the reality is:

• Crowds disperse well
• Spaces feel intentional
• There’s always something new to discover

My biggest advice?

👉 Choose your cabin location carefully.
On a ship this size, that matters more than usual.

Bottom Line

Oasis of the Seas isn’t just a cruise ship.

It’s a turning point in cruising.

And for me, this trip made that even more meaningful.

Because it wasn’t just another sailing.

It was our first real long cruise—9 days, no rush, just time to experience it all.

And sharing that with my mom?

That’s what made it unforgettable.