Royal Caribbean completes Oasis of the Seas makeover

Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas is ready to begin its Caribbean season from Miami, fresh off of a 53-day drydock in Cadiz, Spain.

The 10-year-old ship received $165 million in refurbishments and improvements, including many elements that first appeared on Royal Caribbean's Quantum-class ships.

Among those elements are the two-story Music Hall and the Bionic Bar, where two robotic bartenders mix drinks for passengers.

Also retrofitted onto the ship was a package of slides that weren't part of Royal Caribbean's featured lineup when the Oasis debuted in 2009. The package includes the 10-story Ultimate Abyss dry slide and the Perfect Storm, three high-speed waterslides known as Typhoon, Cyclone and Supercell.

Other features that have debuted on Quantum ships or on recent makeovers of Oasis-class ships include the Lime & Coconut multi-story pool deck bar, a Sugar Beach candy store, an El Loco Fresh casual Mexican eatery and a Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade.

Renovating the Oasis of the Seas

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The Oasis of the Seas was the prototype for four Royal Caribbean International ships with an unprecedented capacity of 5,400 passengers each. Introduced in 2009, its design of two flanks of cabins around a central space open to the sky has never been duplicated. Having reached its 10th anniversary, the groundbreaking ship was sent to Cadiz, Spain, for a 53-day drydock in which a number of new features, such as waterslides, an escape room and a barbeque restaurant, were added to it. After being initially based in Fort Lauderdale, Oasis will move to Miami to do 7-day Eastern Caribbean itineraries starting Nov. 24.
Photo Credit: TW photo by Tom Stieghorst

The Oasis of the Seas was the prototype for four Royal Caribbean International ships with an unprecedented capacity of 5,400 passengers each. Introduced in 2009, its design of two flanks of cabins around a central space open to the sky has never been duplicated. Having reached its 10th anniversary, the groundbreaking ship was sent to Cadiz, Spain, for a 53-day drydock in which a number of new features, such as waterslides, an escape room and a barbeque restaurant, were added to it. After being initially based in Fort Lauderdale, Oasis will move to Miami to do 7-day Eastern Caribbean itineraries starting Nov. 24.
Photo Credit: TW photo by Tom Stieghorst

A view of the 2-deck interior promenade on Oasis seen through one of its skylights.
Photo Credit: TW photo by Tom Stieghorst

Tubes for the new Perfect Storm waterslides, seen from below, which were retrofitted on the Oasis in a recent drydock.
Photo Credit: TW photo by Tom Stieghorst

These aluminum cabanas are a feature added to the pool deck on several recent Royal ship renovations.
Photo Credit: TW photo by Tom Stieghorst

The ship's library has been relocated to Central Park, taking a spot previously occupied by a photo studio. The old library space on Deck 11 was turned into extra cabins.
Photo Credit: TW photo by Tom Stieghorst

The carriage trade jeweler Tiffany has an outlet on Central Park.
Photo Credit: TW photo by Tom Stieghorst

Royal's multi-story Lime & Coconut bar is being added as old ships are refurbished. On the Oasis, it takes the place of four small bars -- Pool Bar, Sand Bar, Sky Bar and Mast Bar.
Photo Credit: TW photo by Tom Stieghorst

The exit bowl on the Perfect Storm waterslide, seen here, has a transparent side so passers-by on the pool deck can see the action.
Photo Credit: TW photo by Tom Stieghorst

A night view of The Boardwalk area of the Oasis, with the new Ultimate Abyss slide in the background.
Photo Credit: TW photo by Tom Stieghorst

Basketball games are part of the Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade, which takes space previously devoted to the Sabor restaurant and Cups & Scoops ice cream stand.
Photo Credit: TW photo by Tom Stieghorst

The Stowaway Piano Player is often found behind his upright in the cabs of elevators on Royal Caribbean ships. In the background is the new touch-screen elevator control panel on Oasis.
Photo Credit: TW photo by Tom Stieghorst

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Debuting for the first time on a Royal Caribbean ship is a barbecue concept called Portside BBQ, an extra-charge restaurant with barbecued meats and traditional sides. 

Also new is the Spotlight Karaoke, with a main stage and two private rooms.

The rejuvenated Oasis sets sail Nov. 24 on alternating seven-night eastern and western Caribbean itineraries from Royal Caribbean’s palatial Terminal A at PortMiami. It is the first time in its history that the Oasis has sailed from Miami.