Oasis of the Seas Size Comparison: Facts and Stats

Oasis of the Seas was the record-setting world’s largest cruise ship when it debuted in 2009. However, since then, the ship has been surpassed several times over, both by other cruise ships in the Oasis class, as well as other Royal Caribbean International ships overall.

That said, the ship is still among the top 10 largest cruise ships in the world. Want to see how it stacks up? Here’s an overview of everything you need to know about Oasis of the Seas’ mammoth size.

Just How Big is Oasis of the Seas? 

Built in Turku, Finland, Oasis of the Seas is an impressive 226,838 gross tons and is 1,187 feet long. This means that the ship is one of the largest in the world, with the top largest cruise ship in the world currently being Icon of the Seas at 250,800 gross tons. 

If you’re not up to date with your cruise ship lingo, basically, gross tons is a measurement of the internal volume of the ship’s interior. The larger the cruise ship by gross tons, the larger the ship is on the inside.

As such, gross tonnage can definitely impact passenger capacity, which is also impacted by the number of staterooms and suites aboard the ship. As for Oasis of the Seas, the ship can fit 5,602 guests at double occupancy, and 6,771 passengers total.

Oasis of the Seas Length

Oasis of the Seas measures in at 1,187 feet long. But what does that number really mean? 

Well, a regulation NFL football field is 360 feet. That means, end to end, you could fit more than three full NFL football fields onto Oasis of the Seas. (That’s a lot of football.) Furthermore, a mile is 5,280 feet, so the ship is a nearly a quarter of a mile long. 

However, when comparing Oasis of the Seas’ length to other mammoth cruise ships’ length, it’s worth noting that, as ships get bigger and bigger, many are doing so by gross tons, not necessarily length. As such, the biggest cruise ship in the world, Icon of the Seas, is just 11 feet longer than the Oasis of the Seas. 

Oasis of the Seas Width

Oasis of the Seas is 215 feet wide. Cruise ship width is measured at the outermost sides of the hull. Compared to the largest-ship Icon of the Seas, the Oasis of the Seas is about 10 feet thinner. 

Oasis of the Seas Height

Oasis of the Seas has 18 total decks, of which 16 are open to guests. It all adds up to a height of 213 feet above the waterline. That’s about the same size as a 20-story building. 

Oasis of the Seas Weight

As mentioned, when deciding which cruise ships are bigger than all the rest, cruise ships are generally measured by gross tons. Oasis of the Seas weighs in at 226,838 gross tons. 

When the ship debuted in 2009, this size made it the largest in the world, putting it far above Royal Caribbean’s prior ships. For example, in 2008, just a year before, Royal Caribbean’s Independence of the Seas had debuted at just a relatively paltry 155,889 GT.

After Oasis of the Seas set the cruise ship size record, though, it was very quickly surpassed by sister ships Harmony of the Seas, Symphony of the Seas, Wonder of the Seas, and Utopia of the Seas.

How Does the Oasis of the Seas Measure Up to Other Major Cruise Ships?

While Oasis of the Seas has been surpassed by a handful of other major cruise ships since its debut more than a decade ago, it still holds its own as one of the biggest.

Here’s how the ship stacks up against two of the largest of them all, Utopia of the Seas and Icon of the Seas. As of 2024, Icon of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas are the top two largest cruise ships in the world. 

Oasis of the Seas Size Comparison

Interestingly, as you can see from the above, while Utopia of the Seas and Icon of the Seas are both dramatically larger than Oasis of the Seas, in terms of gross tonnage, they’re still pretty comparable in terms of length, total decks, total cabins and even guest capacity at double capacity.  

Is Oasis of the Seas Really That Much Bigger Than Other Cruise Ships?

To understand just how big Oasis of the Seas is in terms of other cruise ships, it’s also valuable to look at how Oasis of the Seas — and the entire Oasis class as a whole — measures up when compared to the next-biggest cruise ships in the world.

After the Oasis class ships, the next-biggest cruise ship is from MSC Cruises, with the cruise line’s MSC World Europa. That ship measures in at 215,863 GT, or nearly 11,000 GT smaller than Oasis of the Seas. It’s also nearly 100 feet shorter, too, with capacity for more than a hundred fewer guests.   

So, while Oasis of the Seas might not be the biggest of them all, it’s still a pretty big ship. 

Oasis of the Seas Capacity – Passengers and Crew

When the Royal Caribbean vessel debuted, it set a world record for its passenger capacity. 

Oasis of the Seas boasts a maximum passenger capacity of 6,771 passengers. If the ship is carrying this maximum number of passengers, plus a full crew of 2,109, that brings the total number of people on the ship to 8,880 people.

What About Accommodations on Oasis of the Seas?

With all of those passengers, they’re going to need ample places to stay. Luckily, Oasis of the Seas does offer a wealth of accommodation options. 

There are more than 2,800 staterooms on Oasis of the Seas and options really range, from compact interior cabins to larger-than-life luxury suites. You’ll find that there are 21 different types of rooms that you could potentially book on this cruise ship.  

Breakdown of the Accommodations on the Oasis of the Seas

So, how do all of these accommodation options break down? The 2,800-plus guest rooms include:

• 193 ocean view rooms
• 1,800 balcony rooms
• 176 suites
• 529 basic interior cabins

However, beyond just these larger, overarching types of rooms, you’ll find other sub-categories of rooms that offer specific benefits (or drawbacks, depending on your preferences).

Worth Reading: Wonder of the Seas Cabins to Avoid – What You Must Know!

For example, there are spacious interior family cabins, which differ from your basic interior cabins. These cabins offer, in some cases, an extra more than 100 square feet of space, with multiple beds and a separate bedroom, for a suite-like feel.

There are also interior cabins that come with windows that overlook an interior space such as the Promenade, Boardwalk or Central Park. Likewise, there are interior cabins that come with balconies that overlook these interior spaces, too. 

Beyond just ocean view cabins, there are two-bedroom family ocean view cabins. Likewise, beyond just balcony cabins, there also spacious and ultra-spacious family balcony cabins that can fit four and six passengers, respectively. 

Then, you get into suites and your options range further, from pretty basic and simple junior suites to posh, multi-level loft suites. Here are how the suites break down on Oasis of the Seas, and how many suites of each type are available on the ship: 

• Junior suites (86)
• One-bedroom grand suites (30)
• Two-bedroom family grand suites (6)
• One-bedroom owners suites (10)
• Ultimate panoramic suites with wraparound windows (2)
• One-bedroom AquaTheater suites (6)
• Two-bedroom AquaTheater suites (6)
• Crown loft suites (25)
• Star loft suites (2)
• Grand loft suites (1)
• Owners loft suite (1)
• Royal loft suite (1)

Some of these suites were added during the Royal Amplified fleet modernization effort that Royal Caribbean launched in 2019, for $1 billion. This is the case with the ultimate panoramic suites with wraparound windows. 

However, if you want the best of the best, you’re going to go for the largest suite of them all, the royal loft suite, which measures in at 1,530 square feet.

This huge suite features a master bathroom, master bathroom with a tub and double vanity, second bedroom, dining room with a dry bar, living room with a grand piano, second bathroom with a shower, and a huge balcony with another sitting area, bar, dining area and jacuzzi  

How Is the Interior of the Ship Divided?

Oasis of the Seas was the first Royal Caribbean ship to introduce the seven-neighborhood concept that the cruise line has since rolled out across the rest of the Royal Caribbean fleet, slowly but surely. It was also the first ship to feature the AquaTheater entertainment venue.

While the ship has received refurbishments over its life — most notably the $165 million amplification in 2019 as part of the Royal Amplified initiative — it still boasts these seven neighborhoods that it debuted in 2009.

Each neighborhood has its own distinct vibes and purpose, these include: 

• Central Park
• The Boardwalk
• The Royal Promenade
• The Pool and Sports Zone
• The Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center
• Entertainment Place
• The Youth Zone

Some of these neighborhoods are pretty self-explanatory, but others are a little more inventive. 

Oasis of the Seas Neighborhood Breakdown

While this seven-neighborhood concept has become commonplace on Royal Caribbean’s ships, if you’ve never sailed with the cruise line in the past, here’s what you can expect.

1. Central Park

The Central Park neighborhood is a lush, garden-esque setting with an open air feel thanks to the lack of any roof overhead. With trees, flowers, vine plants and a mix of retail, entertainment and dining, the neighborhood blends plenty of action with a refreshing environment that feels worlds away from the standard cruise ship experience. 

The neighborhood sits over several decks, and you’ll find that there are cabins available that overlook Central Park, either via a window, or a balcony (there are more than 300 inward-facing balcony cabins here!).

Staple venues within this neighborhood include Restaurant 150 Central Park, the three-deck Dazzles dance lounge, Chops Grille, Giovanni’s Table, Vintages, Trellis Bar, and Park Café.

Central Park is also home to retail outlets like Coach; when the ship debuted, this particular Coach outlet was the brand’s largest store at sea. During the ship’s 2019 renovations, The Music Hall was also added to this neighborhood. 

Central Park was designed to have a piazza feel, so expect “al fresco” dining, wandering musicians and very much an experience you might expect if you were walking through a bustling, lively urban green space. Central Park starts on Deck 8. 

2. The Boardwalk

The Boardwalk is a bit more whimsical, with a carnival-like atmosphere that brings together restaurants, retail and, yes, of course, carnival games. 

The Boardwalk (at least on this ship) is home to the AquaTheater. As mentioned, Oasis of the Seas introduced the AquaTheater entertainment venue to the Royal Caribbean line, and now it’s a staple on many cruise ships.

The AquaTheater is literally what it sounds like: an aqua theater. At this amphitheater with a pool, you can catch aquatic acrobatic shows in the aquatheater pool.

The Boardwalk also introduced the first carousel at sea, and now you’ll find carousels on a handful of other Royal Caribbean ships.  

Other venues and attractions you’ll find here include Sugar Beach, Johnny Rockets, Playmakers Sports Bar, The Boardwalk Dog House and The Seafood Shack.

There are also a few Boardwalk-view and Boardwalk balcony staterooms here, and the AquaTheater suites. The Boardwalk is on Deck 6. 

3. The Royal Promenade

Royal Caribbean has become known for its Royal Promenades, which first appeared on Royal Caribbean’s Voyager and Freedom-class ships.

However, some changes were made when adding the Royal Promenade to Oasis of the Seas. For example, a new configuration means that guests enter the Promenade when boarding the ship, right away.

The multi-level Promenade is the heart of the ship in many ways, with lots of action and activities, as well as venues and entertainment. 

Here, you’ll find the Rising Tide Bar (which, on Oasis of the Seas, was the world’s first moving bar at sea, spanning three decks), the Diamond Club (an exclusive lounge for loyalty club members), Schooner Bar, Globe and Atlas Pub, the Champagne Bar, Boleros, Café Promenade, Sorrento’s Pizza, Starbucks, Spotlight Karaoke and more. Royal Caribbean also added the Bionic Bar to the Promenade during the ship’s 2019 renovations.

There are also 18 Promenade-view staterooms in this neighborhood. The Royal Promenade starts on Deck 5. 

4. The Pool and Sports Zone

The Pool and Sports Zone received new life during the ship’s 2019 renovations. 

Now, it features two FlowRider surfing simulators, a nine-deck-high zip line (the first at sea when it premiered), the Ultimate Abyss slide (the tallest slide at sea when it debuted, at 10 stories), the Perfect Storm trio of waterslides, Splashaway Bay, The Lime & Coconut resort-style bar and pool deck, new hot tubs and more. The ship’s 43-feet-tall rock-climbing walls (there are two) are also located in this neighborhood.

When Oasis of the Seas first set sail, the Pool and Sports Zone likewise was home to the first beach pool at sea, with a sloped entry and gentle waves. There’s also, of course, a main pool and multiple hot tubs here. 

As for the “sports” aspect of the Pool and Sports Zone, there’s a sports pool with activities like water polo, and a sports deck with mini golf, basketball court, volleyball and soccer. 

The adults-only Solarium and Solarium Bistro are also situated within this neighborhood, as are the Windjammer Café buffet, Izumi Cafe, Portside BBQ (a new specialty restaurant added during the 2019 renovations, as Royal Caribbean’s first barbecue eatery), El Loco Fresh, Coastal Kitchen and multiple bars. 

The Pool and Sports Zone starts on Deck 15.

5. Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center

Possibly the most straightforward and aptly named neighborhood on this ship, this neighborhood is simply home to the spa and fitness center.

The spa offers 29 treatment rooms and a thermal suite, while the fitness center can accommodate more than 150 exercise machines. This neighborhood is spread over Decks 5 and 6. 

6. Entertainment Place

Entertainment Place houses the ship’s Opal Theater, Casino Royale, ice rink, laser tag, and then smaller entertainment venues for music and comedy like Studio B. Blaze Nightclub is also situated here, along with Jazz on 4.

Entertainment Place is technically the lowest neighborhood on the ship, with much of the neighborhood situated on Deck 4. One of the main dining rooms is also accessible here. 

7. The Youth Zone

Much like the Pool and Sports Zone, the Youth Zone received a bit of an overhaul during the 2019 renovations, too. Originally home to the Adventure Ocean program, with offerings for kids as young as six months, the Youth Zone stretched over nearly 30,000 square feet at debut.

Refurbishments remade the neighborhood from head to toe and added a new outdoor deck to the teen space, as well as new tech amenities.

The Youth Zone is centered around Deck 16, and you’ll find certain kid and family-friendly amenities nearby, such as the arcade and Royal Escape Room.

Final Words on the Size of Oasis of the Seas

Oasis of the Seas was an absolutely ground-breaking ship when it first debuted in 2009. It was not only the biggest ship in the world, capable of carrying the most passengers, but it also brought so many unique features and amenities to the cruising industry. 

Truly, the ship seemed to set off a chain reaction, with both Royal Caribbean and other cruise lines alike constantly trying to outdo themselves and one another, with the biggest, best and most impressive cruising experiences possible.

Read Also: Utopia of the Seas Size Comparison: Facts and Stats

While Oasis of the Seas has been surpassed in both size and flashy appeal by its Royal Caribbean siblings, it’s still a ship worthy of any traveler’s attention. It’s still one of the world’s largest, and recent refurbishments have ensured that the ship stays competitive among the highly competitive cruising industry. 

If you’ve ever considered taking an Oasis of the Seas cruise, there’s no reason to hesitate. This mammoth ship still has a lot to love.