The world's largest ocean liner Oasis of the Seas

Only a few decades ago, sea cruises were considered a privilege only of wealthy representatives of bourgeois society. It can not be said that now the cost of multi-day trips on comfortable ships has become much lower. But modern tourists choose cruises much more often than it was in the last century. Therefore, sea travel, available today for a variety of social strata, has become noticeably larger, and the size of the ships has long surpassed the legendary "Titanic." Although it is unlikely that even among curious tourists there are many who will immediately name the largest ocean liner.

A few important facts about Oasis of the Seas

In autumn 2009, an important event took place at STX Finland, a shipyard in Finland. The 16-deck ocean liner launched into the water left behind all the cruise ships that existed at that time. Finnish shipbuilders could be proud of the liner, the owner of which was the customer Royal Caribbean International. This well-known American company has spent almost $ 1.5 billion on a new project. In early December 2009, Oasis of the Seas - that was the name of the ship - went to its first 7-day cruise.

Not every traveler will be able to understand what is behind the figure of 45,000 tons - this is the weight of the hull of this giant liner. If you compare the ship with the infamous "Titanic", it is worth noting that it exceeds its size by almost five times. The new ocean liner at that time could accommodate more than 6,200 passengers. In order not to overload the ship, during the operation of the ship the organizers began to limit themselves to 5400 guests. The feature of the crew, numbering almost 2,200 people, is its international character, since it consists of citizens of 70 states.

How can a liner surprise its passengers?

"Oasis of the Seas" - this is how the name of the fairy tale ship sounds in Russian - consists of 7 multifunctional thematic zones. Among them, above all, stands out "Central Park", a little like the one that is located in New York, but playing in the lives of passengers is just as important. Here you can sit in the shade of 56 real trees and breathe the fresh air saturated with a pleasant scent coming from more than 12,000 shrubs, flowers and other plants. For the hungry travelers in this park are open the doors of 6 stylish bars and restaurants.

Boardwalk, a spacious walking area located on deck 6, looks like a crowded quay with several small cafes, a carousel, music constantly sounding, as well as children and their caring parents with ice cream in their hands. A less relaxed atmosphere prevails on the Royal Promenade. In this zone, located on deck 5, a wealthier public prefers to walk, ready to part with significant sums of money in one of the eight shops located here. All other areas are associated with entertainment or active recreation.

Sports and fitness on the ship

Despite the comfort of all 2706 spacious cabins, passengers often only spend the night in them. After all, an ocean liner offers such a variety of activities that every traveler will certainly find something that exactly matches his desires and requirements. Choosing one of the four pools, vacationers can just swim, play water volleyball or do aerobics. The daredevils are happy to test their abilities in rock climbing. For them a special wall is equipped on the 6th deck.

Young people willingly put on skates and go to "Studio-B" in those days when it turns into an ice rink. A small court is always open for passionate mini golf fans. On a spacious sports ground, passengers play excitement in tennis or volleyball. Sometimes there even go basketball competitions. Men can train for hours in a small gym, and women are happy to transform their image in a beauty salon. All this is available for travelers in Vitality - a modern spa and fitness center.

Entertainment on the liner

Passengers Oasis of the Seas will have to try to feel boredom. In addition to dance competitions, beer tasting, auction of paintings or karaoke, travelers are waiting for entertainment on several stages:

• In Studio B - multifunctional theater - the public enjoys ice performances;
• Fascinating jazz tunes sound in the Jazz Club;
• Opal Theater, which seats more than 1300 spectators, pleases the public with the three-hour musical "Cats";
• Aqua Theater entertains travelers with performances of gymnasts and swimmers;
• In the Comedy Club, talented comedians amuse the audience with their witty reprises;
• Young travelers are happy to participate in the parade of the heroes of their favorite cartoons, and the young people relax in the Blaze - a democratic club.

restaurants and bars

It is unlikely that the passengers of the Oasis of the Seas will be able to go on a diet. Ocean liner accommodates 24 bars and restaurants, the choice of dishes in which will not disappoint even the fastidious gourmets. Among them, first of all, there are several most popular institutions:

• Taste of Mexican dishes gourmets can learn in Sabor;
• Rising Tide Bar moves slowly, like a big elevator, between the 5th and 8th decks; Here you can enjoy great cocktails;
• Giovanni's Table pleases visitors with Italian dishes;
• Coastal Kitchen plays the role of an excellent viewing platform;
• After lunch of 8 dishes in 150 Central Park no one will remain hungry;
• Lovers of this pizza will have to taste the dinner in Sorrento's.

This is only a small part of the list of restaurants and bars, which are waiting for the guests of the ship.

The past and future of cruise liners

Tourists, who dream of going on long sea voyages, are becoming more and more. Shipbuilding companies are rushing to satisfy the desires of their customers who need multi-deck ships. 2010 was marked by the appearance of the Allure of the Seas, which in its size surpassed the "Oasis of the Seas". Russian shipbuilding can not yet boast of such achievements. But in the former Soviet Union, Mikhail Lermontov was considered one of the worthy competitors to western cruise ships. The motor ship, built by experts from East Germany, in many respects repeated the fate of the Titanic, when in 1986 he left Sydney for a cruise with 408 passengers and sank near New Zealand. Thanks to the tanker and ferry that came to the rescue, no one, except one of the crew members, was injured.

Soviet citizens could be proud of the ship if they knew what the "Mikhail Lermontov" was. The ship pleased its passengers with leisure in a music salon, cocktails and dinner at 5 bars and a restaurant, playing tennis in the gym, watching new films in a roomy cinema and many other entertainments. But then, because of the ideological guidelines of the government, most Soviet people knew practically nothing about it. Now the liners have become even more comfortable. In the future, ships will certainly appear, compared to which even the newly built "Harmony of the Seas" - an 18-deck liner - will seem like an ordinary ship.