Why My Kids Still Talk About Oasis of the Seas 3 Years Later

Oasis of the Seas is one of those ships my children still talk about three years later. And when I say they had a blast, I mean they had a blast!

For context, my kids have been on six cruises—all with Royal Caribbean or Norwegian—and Oasis still comes out on top.

Besides the pools and water slides, there was so much for them to do.

• Rock climbing

• Zip lining

• Mini golf

• Carousel

• Ultimate Abyss dry slide

• Ice skating

• Exploring the boardwalk

Even though Oasis is a huge ship and we sailed during the busy summer season, they were almost always able to find something to do without waiting a long time. There were times they were gone for hours, living their best cruise life!

Travel tip: Pack sneakers and long pants! Some activities require closed-toe shoes, and you'll need long pants for ice skating.

Ice skating is one activity where I recommend making a reservation. We weren't able to get one right away, but after checking the Royal Caribbean app for a few days, we found availability. The sessions are typically during the day, and it ended up being the perfect way to take a break from the sun and do something completely different.

What about younger kids?

My children were 10 and 12 at the time, but many of these activities are great for younger kids, too. My five-year-old niece was able to join in on plenty of the fun! Just keep in mind that some activities, including the zip line and rock wall, have age, height, weight, or other participation requirements.

I'm also a bit of a "stricter parent", but I felt comfortable allowing my kids to explore parts of the ship with a buddy. We established designated meeting places and check-in times, which gave them some independence while giving me peace of mind.

Our big splurge: A pool casita

One of the biggest highlights for both the kids AND adults was the pool casita I managed to snag! This was definitely one of those "we probably won't do this every cruise" experiences because casitas can be expensive. But I scored a great Black Friday deal. Yes, I stayed up until midnight to get it...and yes, it was worth it!

Our casita included a dedicated server for drinks, bottled water, ice, and a fruit platter. On the morning of our reservation, I headed to the pool deck around 8 a.m. to check in and choose our location.
Casita selection was first-come, first-served, so I chose one above the pool deck facing the ocean.

Travel tip: Check out the casita locations when you first board the ship. That way, you'll already know which ones you like when it's time to choose yours.

Having the casita gave us shade, a comfortable place to relax, and—maybe most importantly—a designated "home base". The kids could go off and enjoy the ship and then come back to check in with us throughout the day.

Would I recommend Oasis for families?

100% yes.

Three years and several cruises later, my kids still compare other ships to Oasis of the Seas. For families with kids and teens who want plenty of activities, some independence for the kids, and lots for the adults to enjoy too, Oasis is still one of my favorite family cruise recommendations.

Oasis will be crowded, but with patience and planning, it will be a great time for everyone of all ages!

For more inspiration and insider recommendations, visit our Cruise page.