lucas
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The ship arrived in Fort Lauderdale today!
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/broward/fl-oasis-wrap-20091112,0,5794779.story
South Florida Sun-Sentinel.com
'Oasis' on its way in to Port Everglades
By Jaclyn Giovis, Sofia Santana and Cindy Kent, Sun Sentinel
November 13, 2009
Cool temperatures didn't keep hundreds of tourists and locals from flocking to key vantage points around Fort Lauderdale on Friday morning to catch a glimpse of the largest cruise ship in the world.
The $1.5 billion Oasis of the Seas is slowly headed to its new home at Port Everglades. Although it was still several miles out to sea at 7 a.m., its 16 decks were hard to miss.
A reporter who was able to take a boat close to the cruise ship compared it to an aircraft carrier.
"It's just absolutely amazing, but a bit unfortunate that it's such a gray day," said Gary Smith, 61, of Pittsburgh, who was at the south end of Fort Lauderdale filming the ship with his camcorder.
Written near the southern tip of the beach in red and blue paint was a 50-foot-long greeting: "Fort Lauderdale welcomes Oasis of the Seas."
"It's a floating city," said Linda Glassholm, 42, of Dania Beach, who caught a glimpse of the boat while out on her morning walk.
About 250 people stood on the sand near the condos that line the beach. Temperatures were in the 50s, and an occasional breeze made the air feel even crisper.
Owned by Royal Caribbean International, the 1,184-foot ship is scheduled to arrive later this morning. It'll spend three weeks at the port before it makes its first regular voyage on Dec. 5.
During that time, the cruise ship will host charity and VIP cruises, be loaded with provisions and outfitted with plants, serve as backdrop for a network morning news show, and undergo safety and health inspections.
The 226,000-ton ship's arrival can be viewed by the public from John U. Lloyd Beach State Park, the 17th Street Causeway or the southern tip of Fort Lauderdale beach.
Near the 17th Street bridge, about 30 people gathered to watch the Oasis. Some were bundled in jackets, while others wore shorts. A few brought binoculars.
The ship's arrival took on a festive air. Several helicopters hovered around the Oasis, while boaters and kayakers took to the water for a better view. Planes flew overhead with banners welcoming the ship.
Mobs of gawkers lined beaches and perched on rocks.
People started lining up outside John U. Lloyd State Park around 6:30 a.m.
Hundreds of people gathered at the north end of the beach as sponsors handed out free coffee and T-shirts that read "Welcome Oasis of the Seas."
Tammy Micensky, 41, of Coral Springs, will be one of the first to set sail on the ship. Micensky will travel on the ship's maiden voyage to Haiti on Dec. 1, and says she can't wait to see the zip line amusement ride on board.
"I did it once on an island in Jamaica, but on a ship, it seems impossible," she said.
Another person who watched the Oasis' grand arrival was Sandra DiVello, 30, of Coral Springs. In February, she and her fiancée will tie the knot on the ship, she said.
The couple heard about the Oasis while on another Royal Caribbean cruise in September 2008. A few months later, she called up and reserved her wedding date, she said.
"I was the psycho bride who called Royal Caribbean and said I want to book a courtesy hold for my wedding date," DiVello said.
Here's what's happening aboard Oasis of the Seas while in port.
Nov. 13: The $1.5 billion Oasis arrives from Finland after a two-week journey.
Nov. 13-18: Ship will be inspected by the U.S. Coast Guard and the U.S. Public Health Service to make sure it meets international safety and sanitary standards. The ship must pass the inspections to operate from a U.S. port.
Nov. 14: A towering special-purpose crane will install tropical plants in Central Park. This first-ever "park at sea" features 12,175 plants, 62 vines and 56 trees.
Nov. 19: A one-night cruise departs from Port Everglades with top Royal Caribbean executives, the media team from ABC's Good Morning America and other VIP passengers. Pop star Rihanna will perform a special concert that night from the AquaTheater stage.
Nov. 20: Good Morning America will broadcast live from Oasis from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m., offering an exclusive first look at the ship.
Nov. 20: A two-night cruise to nowhere will preview the ship for company officials, media, travel agents and invited guests. A second two-night preview cruise leaves Nov. 22.
Nov. 29: One-night preview cruise and fundraiser supporting the local chapters of the United Way and American Red Cross. Royal Caribbean donated more than 1,000 cabins to the organizations to sell to the public.
Nov. 30: One-night preview cruise and fundraiser supporting the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Royal Caribbean donated 1,300 cabins to the organization to sell to the public. Highlights include the official christening and naming ceremony.
Dec. 1: First full-revenue voyage, a four-night trip to Labadee, Haiti.
Dec. 5: Inaugural departure on a regular seven-night itinerary, this one to the Eastern Caribbean, stopping at St. Thomas, St. Martin and Nassau, Bahamas.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/broward/fl-oasis-wrap-20091112,0,5794779.story
South Florida Sun-Sentinel.com
'Oasis' on its way in to Port Everglades
By Jaclyn Giovis, Sofia Santana and Cindy Kent, Sun Sentinel
November 13, 2009
Cool temperatures didn't keep hundreds of tourists and locals from flocking to key vantage points around Fort Lauderdale on Friday morning to catch a glimpse of the largest cruise ship in the world.
The $1.5 billion Oasis of the Seas is slowly headed to its new home at Port Everglades. Although it was still several miles out to sea at 7 a.m., its 16 decks were hard to miss.
A reporter who was able to take a boat close to the cruise ship compared it to an aircraft carrier.
"It's just absolutely amazing, but a bit unfortunate that it's such a gray day," said Gary Smith, 61, of Pittsburgh, who was at the south end of Fort Lauderdale filming the ship with his camcorder.
Written near the southern tip of the beach in red and blue paint was a 50-foot-long greeting: "Fort Lauderdale welcomes Oasis of the Seas."
"It's a floating city," said Linda Glassholm, 42, of Dania Beach, who caught a glimpse of the boat while out on her morning walk.
About 250 people stood on the sand near the condos that line the beach. Temperatures were in the 50s, and an occasional breeze made the air feel even crisper.
Owned by Royal Caribbean International, the 1,184-foot ship is scheduled to arrive later this morning. It'll spend three weeks at the port before it makes its first regular voyage on Dec. 5.
During that time, the cruise ship will host charity and VIP cruises, be loaded with provisions and outfitted with plants, serve as backdrop for a network morning news show, and undergo safety and health inspections.
The 226,000-ton ship's arrival can be viewed by the public from John U. Lloyd Beach State Park, the 17th Street Causeway or the southern tip of Fort Lauderdale beach.
Near the 17th Street bridge, about 30 people gathered to watch the Oasis. Some were bundled in jackets, while others wore shorts. A few brought binoculars.
The ship's arrival took on a festive air. Several helicopters hovered around the Oasis, while boaters and kayakers took to the water for a better view. Planes flew overhead with banners welcoming the ship.
Mobs of gawkers lined beaches and perched on rocks.
People started lining up outside John U. Lloyd State Park around 6:30 a.m.
Hundreds of people gathered at the north end of the beach as sponsors handed out free coffee and T-shirts that read "Welcome Oasis of the Seas."
Tammy Micensky, 41, of Coral Springs, will be one of the first to set sail on the ship. Micensky will travel on the ship's maiden voyage to Haiti on Dec. 1, and says she can't wait to see the zip line amusement ride on board.
"I did it once on an island in Jamaica, but on a ship, it seems impossible," she said.
Another person who watched the Oasis' grand arrival was Sandra DiVello, 30, of Coral Springs. In February, she and her fiancée will tie the knot on the ship, she said.
The couple heard about the Oasis while on another Royal Caribbean cruise in September 2008. A few months later, she called up and reserved her wedding date, she said.
"I was the psycho bride who called Royal Caribbean and said I want to book a courtesy hold for my wedding date," DiVello said.
Here's what's happening aboard Oasis of the Seas while in port.
Nov. 13: The $1.5 billion Oasis arrives from Finland after a two-week journey.
Nov. 13-18: Ship will be inspected by the U.S. Coast Guard and the U.S. Public Health Service to make sure it meets international safety and sanitary standards. The ship must pass the inspections to operate from a U.S. port.
Nov. 14: A towering special-purpose crane will install tropical plants in Central Park. This first-ever "park at sea" features 12,175 plants, 62 vines and 56 trees.
Nov. 19: A one-night cruise departs from Port Everglades with top Royal Caribbean executives, the media team from ABC's Good Morning America and other VIP passengers. Pop star Rihanna will perform a special concert that night from the AquaTheater stage.
Nov. 20: Good Morning America will broadcast live from Oasis from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m., offering an exclusive first look at the ship.
Nov. 20: A two-night cruise to nowhere will preview the ship for company officials, media, travel agents and invited guests. A second two-night preview cruise leaves Nov. 22.
Nov. 29: One-night preview cruise and fundraiser supporting the local chapters of the United Way and American Red Cross. Royal Caribbean donated more than 1,000 cabins to the organizations to sell to the public.
Nov. 30: One-night preview cruise and fundraiser supporting the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Royal Caribbean donated 1,300 cabins to the organization to sell to the public. Highlights include the official christening and naming ceremony.
Dec. 1: First full-revenue voyage, a four-night trip to Labadee, Haiti.
Dec. 5: Inaugural departure on a regular seven-night itinerary, this one to the Eastern Caribbean, stopping at St. Thomas, St. Martin and Nassau, Bahamas.
)
! We sailed her sister ship, Liberty of the Seas, last May for our anniversary, she is quite large too at 1112 ft. and 15 decks 
. LOVED it, had a wonderful time being pampered, discovering all the many actiivites and their private island Labadee is wonderful! 
