Since her maiden voyage in December 2009, Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas has been a cherished means of traveling for many vacationers ticking items off their bucket lists. Touted as “the original game changer,” she revolutionized the cruise industry with top-deck thrills, show-stopping entertainment, and unparalleled customer service. In 2019, she received a $165 million makeover, featuring new dining options and a reimagined Caribbean pool deck.
Last September, Manila Bulletin Lifestyle had the chance to explore the ship while sailing through the Western Mediterranean, experiencing its fly-cruise program—minus the hassle of managing separate travel, accommodation, and itinerary.
A glimpse of the Eternal City (Day 1: Rome, Italy)
Our journey began in Rome. We arrived in the late hours to the Eternal City, and while many establishments were closed, the city was as beautiful in the evening as it is in daylight, with warm lights illuminating its streets. The ancient structures of the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major and the Pontifical Sanctuary of the Holy Stairs greeted me, along with a plate of lasagna as my welcome treat.
We drove to Civitavecchia Port the next day. After a 90-minute ride along Italy’s coast, we reached the Oasis of the Seas. She is a true mega-beauty. From the outside, one can already see some of its famous attractions like The Perfect Storm and Ultimate Abyss. Spanning 1,187 feet in length, she features over 2,800 staterooms, accommodating more than 6,700 guests.
Checking in was a breeze, all thanks to the Royal Caribbean app, which is a reliable travel companion throughout the cruise. It includes the ship’s activity schedule, dining options, free events, docking locations, curfew information, and even tracks your onboard expenses.
Italy’s old and new (Day 2: Naples, Italy)
The second day of our cruise brought us to Naples, the third-largest city in Italy. Royal Caribbean offers shore excursions to take the stress of booking rides, tickets, and other destination essentials off the guests’ shoulders. For that day, the cruise line planned three stops to get the full Naples experience.
Our first location was Positano along the Amalfi Coast. It was the end of the summer season when we explored the town, and the weather was still warm, with the sea breeze and the scent of lemons in the air. If you’ve seen the film Under the Tuscan Sun, you may have glimpsed the beauty of this fishing village. The Mediterranean houses in vibrant shades of pink, yellow, and white pop against the lush green of Monti Lattari. Positano is known for its sandal-making heritage, lemons, and linens, which are spotlighted by its many artisanal shops.
By lunchtime, we arrived in Sorrento, a town overlooking Naples Bay. Apart from its turquoise beach—a favorite tourist spot that season—Sorrento is home to Corso Italia, a main shopping center. For those interested in sightseeing and art rather than shopping, I recommend visiting the Sedile Dominova. A former place for nobles and aristocrats, Sedile Dominova now features the work of Italian artists, some of which can be viewed for free. Another spot to explore is the Chiostro di San Francesco, where you can marvel at 14th-century architecture, lounge at the municipal garden, or discover works by photographer Raffaele Celentano. With our limited time in the location, I opted to have handheld treats to enjoy while walking. Sorrento is known for its Caprese salad, so I had mine made in a sandwich form and paired it with a lemon sorbet.
Our last stop was Pompeii. With its story known all over the world, a visit to the ancient city is a must. Exploring Pompeii requires a day of its own, so we just saw its highlights like the temples, bathhouses, plaster casts, and a scenic view of Mt. Vesuvius. We also visited the ruins of its early “fast food” joint and learned about the phallic symbols, which for its former civilization, represented protection, fertility, and prosperity.
The Oasis of the Seas (Day 3: Cruising Day)
Day three was all about the cruise, as we needed a full day of sailing to get to our next destination. The Oasis of the Seas truly lives up to her name. There’s so much to do on board, from dining and wellness to top-notch entertainment, making it a true haven. While it can get overwhelming, I find my exploration on the ship easy through the cruise’s app.
I recommend starting your day with breakfast at Windjammer, which offers a variety of cuisines. For a quieter experience, have breakfast at the adults-only Solarium Bistro. After some rest, I tried the thrill features of the ship, like The Ultimate Abyss—the tallest slide at sea, with a 216-foot descent over 10 decks. If you are ready to go for a swim, don’t miss the chance to ride The Perfect Storm or just chill in the whirlpools.
Spend your afternoon easy with desserts and brewed drinks at Cafe Promenade in Central Park in Deck Eight. If you’re craving more continental eats, visit El Loco Fresh for something Mexican, Sorrento’s for a slice of pizza, the Vitality Cafe for healthy smoothies, or the Bionic Bar for a drink crafted by robotic bartenders.
Among the best places to capture the Mediterranean sunset with good food is at Portside BBQ or by securing a window seat in the Main Dining Room. Evenings at the Oasis of the Seas are all about the entertainment. Must-see performances are the Aquatheater and its musical shows at the Royal Theater. To cap the night off, get a serving of cocktails at poolside bar Lime and Coconut or its Latin-themed club Boleros.
Looking for Picasso (Day 4: Barcelona, Spain)
Royal Caribbean guests have the option to book shore excursions or tour independently. We chose the latter for our two days in Spain. On the fourth day, we docked in Barcelona, where the easy-to-navigate train system made exploring stress-free. First on my list was the Sagrada Família church.
It was a rather rainy day when we arrived in Barcelona, and returning to Las Ramblas didn’t seem like the best idea. So, I headed to the train station and visited the museums near Jaume. At the top of my bucket list was the Picasso Museum. For 15 euros, I was able to immerse myself in the imaginative world of Pablo Picasso. The museum exhibited his early illustrations, ceramics, paintings, and letters that chronicle his relationship with his muse, Fernande Olivier.
A dip in the Mediterranean Sea (Day 5: Palma De Mallorca, Spain)
There are two ways to enjoy Palma De Mallorca: going to its historical sites or swimming at Palma Nova Beach. Both are 15 minutes away from the port, so driven by wanderlust, I decided to do both. My day began at the Catedral-Basílica de Santa María de Mallorca. Like the Sagrada Família, it features Gothic architecture and is surrounded by a beautiful garden with horse carriages tourists can book to fully tour the vicinity.
An hour of strolling went by and I made my way to Palma Nova Beach. After days of viewing the sea from my balcony, it was refreshing to swim in the Mediterranean. With chairs and umbrellas already set up, all sun-seeking vacationers needed to bring were beach essentials. The best way to end the experience is by feasting on savory tapas with a glass of white sangria.
Sugar rush in Provence (Day 6: Marseille, France)
Our next stop was Provence, specifically Marseille, France’s oldest city. Royal Caribbean planned a day around its local products—olive oil and wine. We kicked things off with a visit to the Bastide du Laval Mill, where we learned more about the art of making olive oil and sampled its over a dozen products, Our degustation continued at the La Cavale in Lourmarin. The brand is known for producing exquisite wines, with its history dating back to 1973.
The highlight of our day was our tour of the tiny village of Lourmarin. Exploring its cobblestone alleyways, neutral-colored structures, and olden sculptures is like seeing postcards come to life. We settled down in La Maison du Gibassier, a bakery near Cavaillon. What lured us in was its assortment of pastries. I loved the quiches and almond croissants, but the Gibassier—a local shortbread made with olive oil—should not be missed.
Under the Tuscan Sun (Day 7: Florence/Pisa (La Spezia), Italy)
The final leg of our cruise took us back to Italy, this time to Florence. We docked in La Spezia and visited the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa. After a series of photo-taking in the Piazza dei Miracoli, we headed to Florence.
Florence is like an open-air museum, with basilicas and statues throughout the city. Among the notable sights are the Monument to Dante outside the Basilica of Santa Croce and the Roman and Greek statues at Loggia dei Lanzi. What many might not notice in Florence are the wine windows. A relic in the city, wine windows, or buchette del vino, date back to the 16th century. It helped Italians serve wine during a plague in 1600s, and has become famous again due to Covid-19 and Stanley Tucci.
There’s much to see in Florence, from the grand Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore to Michelangelo’s David in the Galleria dell’Accademia. I regret not trying Vivoli’s famous affogato or visiting Gucci Visions. Perhaps, I can look forward to doing those things on my next adventure with Royal Caribbean.
Discover more about Royal Caribbean International and the Oasis of the Seas by visiting royalcaribbean.com. Check out the premier cruise line’s 2025, 2026, and 2027 Caribbean vacations, featuring a lineup of Royal Caribbean hits and all-time favorite itineraries.