Do you know that? The Biggest Vessel Of The World

Time period of monster ocean steam-ships was not finished yet, and shipping traffic, or, better to say, its relax analogy, becomes to be more and more popular. So called swimming towns, or tourist centres, navigate the seas from North Pole to sunny Caribbean Sea. These transoceanic steam-ships transfer millions of tourists within a year. No wonder, as its comfort, offer of events, or reasonable but not cheap price present to such sort of entertainment enough elegance and dignity. These monster ships obtained, similarly as American Florida, its flattering nickname („swimming boards of revenue“). On the other hand, it is nothing negative, owing to the fact, which sorts of activities, amusement and comfort, offer these types of steam-ships. Anyway, hardly anybody knows that on manufacturing of such colossus even Vítkovice Iron -Works were participating, preparing essential stone of the whole machine - such as keel or steel sheets. The ship-body was welded in Finnish dockyards, at STX Europe company.

Oasis of the Seas as well as its sister ship Allure of the Seas are literally swimming steel islands, being able to accept on its 15 boards up to 6300 passengers, who will be looked after 3000 crew members, so totally uncredible number of 9300 persons (this number could be compared to one standard Czech town, such as: Mohelnice, Nová Paka, Chotěboř, etc.). The ship reminds literally the town. You can find there seven organized „quarters“, named as: Central Park (including 12 thousands pieces of live green), Boardwalk, including many restaurants and shops but also with two gigantic climbing walls, King´s Promenade with bars, luxurious restaurants or boutiques. No various hairdressers´ services or saloons, sporting zones (including four spaces swimming pools and bathing space for children, artificial sea- waves, so high-value aquapark, with all possible facilities) are missing there. Even the travelling by this ship could cause increased tiredness, so it would be advantageous to visit high-valued spa. Entertainment programme would be looked after non-stop, and if you would have a feeling that so called „ submarine disease“ would attack you, you can rid of it in amusement section, in music club, following ice - revue performance, or Casino Royale. Local bar is constructed in unique way, moving by means of lift system just among three boards, nevertheless, the waiting for drink for 30 minutes does not menace to you, for sure.

The amphitheatre scene has the capacity of 750 spectators. They can enjoy an effective view to unique subwater theatre, effected inside gigantic aquarium. Younger passengers could have a relax (apart from their parents) in so called „Young Zone“. Here, there is prepared a programme for children from 6 months of age up to seventeen years old teenagers. Theatre club or children scientific laboratory belong to those attractive sections. This difficult project was created on base of competition fight between Royal Caribbean and Carnival Corporation, i.e. among two companies, the vessels of those profit a lot of money, organizing luxurious navigations. Before Oasis of the Seas was launched, the British-Americal Carnival Corporation was preferred.

Their ships dominated to all seas of the world, led by the greatest ship Queen Mary II. However, after arrival of Oasis, this company lost its start of in all parametres.

So, a comparison is, as follows:

Even whichever military vessel could be compared with those navy. The biggest plain-ship Nimitz is „only“ 330 metres long.

The effort of these corporations finished in a struggle regarding „sea tourists“ who are rich donators of such financially difficult projects at the same time. The price of more modern Oasis reached respectable amount of CZK 25 billions, i.e. USD 1,4 billions. Nevertheless, such sum could be covered even during crisis - so, the profit could be guaranteed.

At present, the ship is navigating 10-days circular tours on the route, as follows:

Fort Lauerdale (Florida) - Labadee (Haiti) - Costa Maya (Mexico) - Cozumel (Mexican Island) and back to Fort Lauerdale.

By the way, Royal Caribbean Corporation could be able to offer totally 37 categories of accommodation. So, boarding pass could be obtained in several price levels. It is no threat you would be forced to tro spend the time with rats in lower deck as the European immigrants travelled  in the cheapest category at the beginning of 20th century.

The excursions, including the air-ticket, are offered also by several Czech Travel Agencies. So, you can buy, for 10-days lasting cruise to Caribbean area, for CZK 40 thousands. approx. It is rather expensive amount, but making comparison to fixed stay in one resort of this area, the price could be reasonable, owing to offered portion of amusement.

Small notice at the end: the vessel was completed in Turku (Finland). It means that means that the ship was forced, during its first navigation across the ocean, to navigate below Storebaeltsbroen suspension-bridge, connecting the islands of Sjaelland and Fyn.

On 1st November 2009, Oasis ship, 72 metres high, navigated, without blame, below this bridge. It is true that the bridge is vaulting above sea-level in the height of 65 metres only, but vessel´s construction calculated with such fact. So, telescopical chimney was drawn, and even the passage was rather narrow. The steam-ship passed the bridge in the distance of 60 cm only.

text: Jan Chaloupka

Translation: ing. Jan Jonáš

Photo: Wikipedia Commons a oasisoftheseas.com