Oasis of the Seas --- Sunset Part Deux

~ Ominous~

 Can you hear it?  

~~ Jimmy Buffet's song  

But there's this one particular harbour
So far but yet so near
Where I see the days as they fade away
And finally disappear

Bliss

Oasis of the Seas - Sunsets

--Sorry .  No sunset, sunrise, midday sky can be completely captured in a photo.  The feeling  these kinds of photos  invoke can only be felt if you are truly there in person.  I can't pick just one favorite from our recent cruise!  So again, sorry for the  many photos of sunsets but I hope you can feel yourself there in at least one!

 Sunset after leaving Nassau, Bahamas.

 From my favorite harbor in St. Martten...

 Can you hear the sizzle as the sun descends into the ocean?

~~Smooth sails to you!~~

Oasis of the Seas - Action

 For the little tykes there's a mini golf course with vibrant colors surrounding them.

 For those a tad bit older there's a 9 hole golf course just a little more challenging.
 Just hope the wind isn't deciding your fate on your putts.

 For the braver and wilder at heart you can try the flow rider.
 The ship had two flow riders for those brave enough to try their fate.

As always there's something for everyone.  If golfing or flowriding or running or walking
 aren't your forte' how about deciding which day of the week had the best
 "drink of the day"?  You can have yours plain (fruity) or kick it up a notch
 and have the floating bartender top off your glass with the "liquor of the day"!
 Coconut Rum anyone?

Oasis of the Seas - Parking - Climbing - Walking - Safety

Lots of action on the Oasis...

A whole outside deck is waiting for the walkers, runners, and curious folks.  You can check out the lower decks on the outside and get close to the roaring ocean waters.  You can check out the life boats.  You can find a seat in a corner and find solitude.  OR - you can exercise away all those calories! 

 The lifeboats aren't just small little row boats, they're pretty high tech.  Unlike the Titanic there are enough seats for everyone.  The question becomes would they only get filled half way or would an orderly procession occur and all would be saved.......  

Crown Bay Harbor. 

Built specifically for the Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas.

Parking a vessel this size requires.....practice?  skill?  or just some video gaming skills?  Look closely at the picture for more than the Captain's parking abilities along side the port in St. Thomas, VI.  You can notice the shadows of folks lined up to make sure the parking is going correctly.  You can notice the taxis lined up waiting for eager passengers to get downtown or to a beach.  You can notice the shops waiting for patrons to let go of their money.  It's the calm before the storm of 6,000 people.  

Do you have climbing skills? 

 The wall is vacated at this time because it's showtime at the Aqua Theater it is one of two walls.  You cannot be afraid of heights.  I do believe the crows nest is at the top.  You can volunteer to be on the lookout for icebergs or pirates or just the ocean blue!

Oasis of the Seas -- Gifts

Every other evening we returned to our room to find a little gift. 

It seems that it must've been very bright in the room  -  thus -  sunglasses were necessary.

Of course we were showered with chocolate too, but these little creatures brought a smile to our faces just before we landed in bed and fell asleep in like 15 seconds.  (vacationing is exhausting!)

Oasis of the Seas - Classy

Black and White

White and Black

Hanging around by the Seafood Shack

Oh what a light!

A two story painting in the dining room.  

Still trying to understand it's abstract-ness...

Our table is on the left in front of the piano.  

We were fortunate each evening to hear some mellow sounds from the piano, violin and guitar.

Oasis of the Seas - Boardwalk Carnival

In the part of the ship called The Boardwalk a grand carousel twirls from morning till evening.   The colors are vibrant and the music makes you feel you should be looking for some cotton candy.  Just how did these animals on the carousel get here?

It all starts with a block of wood.....

and an artist that can see beyond that block of wood!

Do you suppose one carves as one paints?

Almost finished!

Oasis of the Seas Art and Relaxation

The Oasis had Artwork everywhere.

I had to add just a touch of some 3D effects to this one.

Up the steps, down the steps everywhere you turn something

 special is hanging around wanting to be noticed.

Spring, Summer, Fall Winter

Cruising fits into any season.

Pick one and 'GET OUT THERE'!

Sit back and relax, order a drink, and enjoy the show. 

Comfortable seating is all around.

The Aqua Theater has just the right seating and colors to make you 

feel you're in an exotic location all before the show begins.

As you stroll through Central Park and your feet and legs are worn out find a seat and enjoy the show.  What show is in Central Park you may ask?  The same one seen round the world.  The People Show!  There's all kinds to watch and enjoy. 

 Tall  -  Short  -  Fat  -   Skinny  -  Loud  -  Quiet  -  Young  -  Old

and on and on and on and on.........

Oasis of the Seas - 2011

Central Park

New York?  Not quite but a floating scaled down version.  Complete with lots of greenery and some top notch restraints like 150 Central Park, Chops Grille, Giovanni's Table, Central Park Cafe, and Vintages. Looking for a quiet place to read that book, take a nap, people watch?  You can find lots of nooks and crannies hidden among the shrubs and trees.

The Solarium.

This is an area designated for adults primarily.  However my 16 year old was happy to make the age limit and hang out on these comfortable lounges.  It's a little more low key than the normal swimming areas and just in case of rain there are areas to take cover but still enjoy being outdoors.

The Rising Tide Bar

Hop on order a drink and take a ride.

This bar rises and lowers over four decks at a slow pace to enjoy that special drink.  When it's at the upper decks a water show is the main attraction complete with it's own light show.

Pieces of artwork can be found everywhere around the ship.  Many of these pieces go unnoticed for the most part.  We're always in a hurry but lots can be noticed if we just slow down every now and then...

Ship Shots

 Swimming?

  One of many pools to take a dip.  Things were always in an orderly condition.

 Ready for the little ones!

A family area with nothing but water.  

 Samantha's retreat.

 Plenty of elevators.

It was never a long wait to get to another floor.  

Of course there's always the steps.  

We did make use of the steps quite often.  I figure it was one way of getting rid of all those calories!

It's show time!

Nearly every evening we enjoyed some great show in the Opal Theater.

We enjoyed the broadway show HAIRSPRAY,  Tony Tillman, Come Fly With Me music to mention a few.  The craziest show was the Love and Marriage Show.  

None of the entertainment was disappointing.

Living quarters

 A circus?  This is the area called The Boardwalk. (below)  The Aqua Theater is shown but from this vantage point it looks morphed.

 Lifeboats.   (check)  

One of these lifeboats will hold a little over 300 passengers.  I did the check in my head to make sure we all would have a seat!  (just in case)

 Closet?  Nope -  Room for the week.  Had to get this shot in before it became a disaster or drop zone.  This was the only 'small' part of the ship.  In actuality it wasn't really that bad because when Im on vacation I don't like to spend too much time in the room.  Comfortable?  You bet.  I need to check out what mattress this was!

Bathroom!  

In all it's glory.  

Sink.

Counter (eight inches wide)

shower

Growing excitement

 Follow the signs......

Room 9443?  

Hungry?   Of course!!!! 

Size matters!  No other ship could match our length or width.  Just how do these cities stay afloat?!  What will be the next draw?  Maybe a rollercoaster  my daughter suggests....  I like this picture that show people measured to the ship, vehicles sized up and of course another ship that's almost half its size!  

 Ain't no ship ship tall enough.  Ain't no ship wide enough.  

Of course on the back of your mind you may think -- The Titantic also made these claims......

Oasis of the Seas

It's ship time!

We cruised from Feb12 - Feb 19, 2011 on Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas.

It was a great week filled with relaxation, fun, and choices.  Yes choices.  The ship had an endless supply of ways to spend your time.  I suppose I'm getting old and appreciate the chair in the corner for quiet time.  Prior to the cruise we drove from Pennsylvania with stops in Savannah, Ga and Orlando, FL and onto friends in Lake Worth, FL to spend the night before the cruise.  Just the days prior to getting to the ship was a welcome vacation and we hadn't even began our 'official' vacation yet!  I took way too many pictures to fill this blog for some time to come.  Over the top?  Of course!  Back at the end of last year I hit a lull in blogging but we all need to find 'something' to give us a boost and snapping away on vacation gave me an uplift.  After switching to a new Apple Pro Mac computer and an upgraded version of Photoshop, I've been behind the eightball so to speak and now I suppose is make up time.  (sorry)  Anyways, I've already covered our first stop in Nassau Bahamas and I'm now going to the ship.  Oh what a ship........        stay tuned!