Oasis of the Seas lives up to its name

By Clara Bosonetto Maerz

For ajc.com

The world's biggest and most expensive cruise ship took nearly six years to build. This week, Royal Caribbean Cruise Line took delivery of its newest baby — the $1.3 billion mega-ship Oasis of the Seas. This giant floating hotel will accommodate up to 6,360 of your closest friends, along with 2,160 crew members.

Royal Caribbean primarily wants to use this stupendous vessel to attract first-time cruisers, and youthful and active families with children.

Passengers will navigate through seven themed neighborhoods (Central Park, Boardwalk, the Royal Promenade, Pool and Sports Zone, Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center, Entertainment Place and Youth Zone) and have a choice to chill at one of 21 swimming pools or go for a carousel ride. When you're truly bored, go climb a rock wall, discover stuff in a oddly placed science lab or ride a zip line that races diagonally nine-decks above an open-air atrium. The attractions just go on and on.

If you'd like to experience cruising with thousands of other vacationers, space is still available on the Oasis of the Seas' Dec. 1 maiden voyage from Fort Lauderdale, Fla. as well as on subsequent Caribbean voyages. Rates vary by cabin size and location, but deals of around $700 are typical.

This link will take you to some of the best photos I found of the Oasis with some computer imagery shots. Visit Royal Caribbean for more on Oasis of the Seas. Or, better yet, book this or any other cruise with a cruise professional in your neighborhood. Find one at CLIA.

Would something smaller be a better fit?

Remember Windjammer Barefoot Cruises? With so much emphasis on giant ocean cruise ships, we can lose track of the other cruise players and possibilities.

Windjammer Barefoot Cruises is no longer in business, but loyalists of the former company have launched Island Windjammers and a new Caribbean sailing ship, the Diamante, a 101-foot brigantine schooner.

The ship is outfitted for you and up to just 11 of your pals (for a complete charter). Or just book yourself and a friend on one of the weekly voyages. Singles are welcome and Island Windjammers will attempt to arrange for a shipmate (same gender). The ship features six cabins with various berth configurations.

The tall ship will sail on a six-day itinerary and call on islands not visited by the biggie ships — Carriacou, Mayreau, Bequia, Union Island, Tobago Cays and Palm Island. The ship will depart from and return from its home port of Grenada.

Rates during the high season (Nov. 15-May 29, 2010) are $1,699 per person, per week and include all meals, soft drinks, draft beer, wine, port taxes and crew gratuities (based on double occupancy). Airfare is not included.

For more, visit Island Windjammers.