Oasis of the Seas with kids: a cruise ship with a toddler

Longer than five Boeing 747s, at 1,187ft Oasis of the Seas would dwarf the Eiffel Tower or the Shard if you laid either structure down next to it. There’s room for 6,360 guests, more than 20 restaurants, a zip wire, Flowrider surf simulator and a park with more than 12,000 plants.

review visit*

Minnie, who’d been told we would be visiting a ‘big big ship’, quickly cottoned on to the idea this cruise behemoth is out of this world, announcing it was a space ship. Not far wrong… So what’s the reality of a cruise ship with a toddler?

After two weeks in dry dock in Germany, being overhauled and improved so even the carpets felt extra fluffed up, we were getting the chance to see on board before she sailed out of Southampton for Spain and on into the Atlantic.

A few years ago, I’d been on Royal Caribbean‘s sister ship Allure for her launch cruise, so I’d had an introduction to just how much there is to do on board. After three days sailing round off the coast of Florida, I was still relying on the omnipresent interactive maps to find my way around, and had barely explored large sections. Yesterday we had about eight hours.

But while my last visit had focused on the spa, the theatre (then showing Chicago, this time featuring Cats), the six-course gourmet tasting menu at 150 Central Park and cocktails at dozens of bars, including wine bar Vintages, this time, I was looking at it firmly through a two-year-old’s eyes.

First stop was lunch at one of the ship’s specialty restaurants, Giovanni’s Table, where Minnie got to order off menu (spaghetti with cheesy sauce for her please, and most of my olive ciabatta), and I got to scoff my way through from antipasti to cannoli.

I was afraid we’d peaked too soon when Alex the lion and King Julian the lemur from the Madagascar movies popped in. Forget being unnerved by a huge lemur patting her head and helpfully grating parmesan onto the table, she didn’t stop giggling. Over 24 hours later, she’s still talking about them.

Fortunately, that was far from all. A distinctly gloomy weather forecast meant we headed outside first of all onto the Boardwalk area with its classic carousel, display of carved horses and retro Johnny Rockets diner (plus ice cream booth nearby for after burgers).

The carousel wasn’t running, and unsurprisingly no-one was on the rock climbing walls – although someone did sail squealing above our heads on the zip wire about 10 decks up – but Minnie was quite happy hopping in the car and boats around the deck.

Back inside is Adventure Ocean, the names for all the Oasis of the Seas kids’ clubs – they’re split down by age, with a nursery and soft play/indoor playground for babies from six months.

Read more about Adventure Ocean, the Oasis of the Seas kids’ club here, if you’re considering a cruise ship with a toddler

When three years is often the youngest allowed in the kids’ clubs, it’s fantastic to have options for toddlers too – and despite the ship’s size, I was never far from toilets with baby changing at any point during the day.

I finally managed to persuade her to leave, in time for a demo in the science lab. Make your own volcano, simple and messy – perfect.

Then dinner in Chops Grille, where her lack of nap paid off and she promptly dozed off in her buggy, lulled to sleep by the buzz of chatter as I ate jumbo shrimp and the most incredible chocolate mud pie. No wonder I usually waddle back off cruise ships.

As I’d guessed, that’s barely the beginning. Even the dangling bird sculptures we saw from the glass lifts fascinated her. If it had been sunny, there’s decks and views to enjoy, pools to splash in, shows to watch and more than 20 restaurants to eat in as part of the ‘dynamic dining’.

Of the other restaurants on Oasis of the Seas, Wonderland sounds fantastic, although the imaginative creations might suit parents more, but I’d definitely love to persuade Minnie to try Mexican food while I indulge in guacamole and margaritas made at the table courtesy of yet another restaurant.

Trying it all off the coast of Mexico would be even better. But with Allure of the Seas getting the same makeover before she starts sailing to the Mediterranean next summer, I’ll happily settle for Spain and Italy…

Disclosure: My day and all meals/activities on board Oasis of the Seas were courtesy of Royal Caribbean. All opinions about exploring a cruise ship with a toddler remain my own and Minnie’s.

Images: copyright MummyTravels

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