Oasis of the Seas resumes services, likely to make stop in Bahamas, St Maarten

After a 17-month break, Oasis of the Seas returns to cruise service. The first post-pandemic commercial cruise was launched on Sunday from Bayonne, New York.

Based in New York for the first time, the ship now offers a series of seven-night voyages to the Bahamas.

Oasis will make weekly visits to Nassau, Port Canaveral, and Perfect Day on CocoCay - Royal Caribbean's private island in the Bahamas until the end of October. Home to North America's highest water slides, the popular CocoCay has unique attractions and saw a $250 million transformation in 2019.

Following the New York program, the Oasis will be relocating to Miami for the winter season. The ship is sailing on different itineraries to the eastern and western Caribbean by December, including stops in Mexico, Honduras, and St Maarten and Puerto Rico.

One of the world's biggest cruise ships, the 2009 Oasis of the Seas has a capacity for over 5,400 guests.

Built in Finland, the ship has introduced a groundbreaking design illuminated by features such as Central Park, a park with real plants surrounded by shops and restaurants.

The ship also divided its public areas into seven different zones, known as quarters. Each of them has a different appeal, with unique attractions. BoardWalk reproduces, for example, a coastal pier with a carousel, carnival games, shops and food.

The Oasis of the Seas was also the first ship with a dance-water theatre, a zip line and a moving bar.

In 2019, the ship underwent a $ 165 million renovation in Spain as part of the Royal Amplification Program.

After a period of two months in Drydock, the ship came out with new additions, such as the highest slide on the sea - Ultimate Abyss; The Perfect Storm Trio of Water Slippers; a reimagined Caribbean Pool Deck; and new children and youth places.

The Oasis of the Seas is the 14th Royal Caribbean cruise to resume services since the COVID-19 pandemic break. The ship is also the tenth for operators in the United States to return to service after Freedom of the Seas became the first ship in July. With a fleet of 25 ships, Royal Caribbean plans to have 21 cruises in service by the end of 2021.