Oasis of the Seas
With the help of Atkins, Royal Caribbean International has built the world’s most groundbreaking ship – Oasis of the Seas – which set sail for the first time in November 2009.
The 220,000 gross tonne Oasis of the Seas is the largest cruise ship in the world, stretching to a remarkable 47 metres wide at the waterline and reaching over 65 metres in width on the upper decks. It features 2,700 staterooms with capacity for 5,400 guests at double occupancy. At 360 metres long and 65 metres high, this next generation of cruise ship will allow a larger number of guests and an even broader spectrum of entertainment and experience.
Your local neighbourhood
The design has opened up the vessel and created two wings on either side, allowing natural light to flood into the heart of the ship. Atkins introduce innovation with its interlocking stateroom concept, allowing for more guest rooms between the bulkheads.
Oasis of the Seas is also the first cruise ship to feature neighbourhoods: seven distinct themed areas that will allow guests to tailor their experience based on their personal preference or mood.
Working closely with Royal Caribbean on the early masterplanning of the vessel, Atkins was also awarded the progressive designs for the three key public neighbourhoods: the Royal Promenade, Central Park and Boardwalk.
Royal Promenade
The Royal Promenade will serve as the impressive entry point for guests when they embark. Nineteen metres wide, 100 metres long and three storeys high, passengers will be able to look up through a sculptured roof into Central Park and the sky above. It features 18 promenade-view staterooms as well as retail outlets, restaurants, bars, cafes, shops and a marketplace.
Rising Tide
The big challenge on a cruise ship is circulation. Atkins had to find elegant ways to move guests from the Royal Promenade on Deck 5 to Central Park on Deck 8. Rising Tide was its response - a 15-metre long oval-shaped bar sitting at the aft end of the Royal Promenade, which moves between the decks, rising up into a glass house in Central Park. As it elevates, water fountains erupt underneath creating a tall column of water that carries the bar all the way up to Central Park.
Central Park
Central Park, which sits above the Royal Promenade, is another neighbourhood that is breaking new ground as the first park at sea, featuring
lush tropical grounds, winding pathways, seasonal flower gardens and canopy trees.
Staterooms, with their balconies to either side of Central Park, now have a magnificent outlook which brings added value to both Royal Caribbean and its guests. Traditionally these cabins would be internal but with the increased width, Oasis of the Seas has a greater percentage of staterooms with balconies and views compared to smaller vessels.
Boardwalk
The Boardwalk, sited in the central open air space at the stern of the ship, is pure fun for the whole family, housing a broad spectrum of entertainment for all ages. It features the first carousel at sea, tattoos, distortion mirrors, and a seafood shack.
For Royal Caribbean, their guest experience is paramount. It drives innovation, new ideas and features to enhance their brand and ensure their lead in this competitive industry. Atkins was invited to work on the project because it is known for innovation.
Atkins also hadn’t been indoctrinated with the rules that limit what you should do on a cruise ship. Resultantly, Atkins’ designs broke the rules and then figured out how to make them work. Now she has launched, Oasis of the Seas will speak for herself.