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Super Liner Oasis of The Seas

Once the reserve of the very, very rich or very, very old, the popularity of cruises is currently at an all time high and these days you can find cruise deals to suit every taste and every pocket. However, it may just be worth your while to save that little bit harder over the coming months for your chance to experience the biggest and most luxurious ocean liner ever built.

Heavier, wider, taller and longer than any other previous passenger ship, the magnificent ‘Oasis of the Seas’ set sail this week from the Finnish port where it was built, on its way to Miami for its inaugural cruise. Costing almost £1bn, this outstanding 1,200 foot ship was commissioned by Cruise Line company Royal Caribbean and will begin carrying passengers from this December. The ship can carry up to 9000 people including a full crew and boasts such facilities as 21 swimming pools, a theatre, an ice rink, nightclubs, casinos and over 20 restaurants serving food from many different global cuisines. At just over 5 times the size of the Titanic, the ‘Oasis of the Seas’ is one beautiful and amazing ship.

Unfortunately, not all of us will be able to afford the five star luxury of the ‘Oasis of the Seas’ but there are still some fantastic deals to be had. If you’ve never been on a cruise holiday before, there are a few things to pack along with your swimming costume to ensure your trip is as enjoyable as possible;

Smart Clothes: There are some high end luxury cruises that request that you wear smart or formal clothes for the whole time that you are away from your cabin, and even the most casual of cruises will expect you dress smartly on at least a few occasions, like at evening dinner. It always pays to take at least two or three really good outfits so you have something smart to change into should the need arise. Besides, it’s always nice to dress up once in a while!

Walking Shoes: At 1200 feet, no other cruise ship comes near to the ‘Oasis of the Seas’ for length but even on a modest sized ship you’ll find that you’ll end up walking perhaps more than you expected to. A good pair of comfortable shoes will come into their own on trips ashore and you’ll never regret packing them after a good few hours on your feet.

Sea Sickness Pills: These days, most of the huge liners like ‘Oasis of the Seas’ have built-in motion stabilizing devices to prevent boat movement. However, there will always be some turbulent water and perhaps even some very rough seas which will mean an uncomfortable and fraught trip for those prone to nausea. Pack some good travel sickness pills and you’ll never need to worry about the odd bumpy wave.

Money: Many luxury cruises are now all inclusive but you’ll be surprised just how often you need a bit of cash particularly for excursions ashore, tips for staff and presents for friends and family.

A Good Book: A cruise holiday is always a fantastic time to catch up on some reading, particularly while sunbathing up on deck or in bed after a hectic but invigorating day. Why not stock up on a couple of those blockbusters you’ve been meaning to read for months but have never had the time for.

So, whether your budget stretches to ‘Oasis of the Seas’ or a more modest cruise you can expect the experience of a lifetime. Don’t forget to pack the sunscreen and the camera!