From eye-popping jaw-dropping stunningly ecstatic hotspots to pristine beaches and exploring masterpieces of world architecture, you will find a treasure trove of unforgettable moments to complement your offshore adventures, highlighting Royal Caribbean Cruise as one of the most superlative ways to travel across Europe. That’s not all. When you hop onboard this majestic beauty you’re in for some of the most happening non-stop parties and tons of immersive experiences. It’s like a city on the sea.
As I set sail from Rome, Italy aboard the world’s largest and most exciting cruise ships – Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas, I knew I was going to earn some uber cool bragging rights soon and rightly so. Imagine unparalleled dining, peppy music and dance, free-flowing cocktails, exciting retail therapy, popular Broadway shows, game-changing high-speed internet, swanky suites with exclusive suite dining and lounge, designed for the most discerning adventurers. It is truly an experience like no other on this world-class luxury vacation, a fabulous fleet filled with fantastic feats.
We hopped onboard the ship from Deck 3 and noticed there are 18 decks in total with 16 decks where the guests can gain access. Each of the 24 elevators has a glass tile with the Day of the Week that is changed every midnight by the cruise staff, because when you’re sailing you tend to forget the outside world and it’s tough to keep track of the days. We checked into our cabin rooms with a balcony facing the sea, set up our wifi and soon it was time to head to the Sail-away party at The Lime and Coconut, one of the most chic bars on the pool deck. We loved the chill island vibes here all through the day. It’s a whole new world of exciting thrills on every deck of the amplified Oasis of the Seas.
Our ticket to the cruise entitled us to grab bold bites to go at El Loco Fresh any time of the day or devour some of the most delicious Italian pizzas at Sorrento’s, an all-day Pizzeria, slide away on ice skating rinks, go ziplining, shake a leg to some Spanish tunes at Boleros or sip on creative concoctions at Blaze, Globe & Atlas, Jazz on 4, Rising Tide Bar, Schooner Bar, Solarium Bar or the WipeOut Bar. We were in for a futuristic experience as we sipped on cocktails crafted by robotic bartenders at the Bionic Bar on our opening night.
Everywhere we waltzed around we came across selfie spots that lured us to capture these moments for posterity. The open-to-sky pool deck on top enhanced our holiday mood to the fullest every single time we took the plunge. We booked our dinner on the first night at 150 Central Park. This delicious and hearty meal set the tone for the week ahead. With our happy bellies and a satiated appetite we headed to Royal Caribbean’s spectacular Aquashow at the AquaTheater on Deck 6. It was a marvellous show with some of the most spectacular adrenaline pumping aqua acrobatic and diving, dancing and aerial acts we had ever witnessed. The ship was sailing and it was time to call it a night as we walked back to our comfortable state cabin.
Windjammer featured a wide array of delicious cuisines from around the world, Our ship had docked at the port in Naples, Italy. We were booked for a private tour of Positano, Sorrento and Pompeii.
Italy
We had explored all of Rome before hopping on our cruise, so this time we drove past the UNESCO-listed coastline, which is one of the most magnificent in the Mediterranean Sea on our drive from the port to Positano, a picturesque cliffside vertical village on southern Italy’s Amalfi Coast. We were instantly taken over by the breathtaking landscapes and fascinating historic and cultural sights along the coastal stretch between Positano and Vietri sul Mare, known for its winding highway skirting dramatic cliffs with a cluster of villages and luxurious villas clinging to the rocky slopes. We paused in awe of the pebble beachfront and steep, narrow streets lined with cute boutiques and quaint cafes lending a panorama of colours, the moment we got down from our car.
The limoncello liqueur made with Amalfi Coast lemons is almost synonymous with Positano and is a must-try. In fact, it makes for a great souvenir to take back home too. The majolica-tiled dome and a 13th-century Byzantine icon of the Virgin Mary are a sight to behold. Spend a few moments at the hamlet’s main square for some of the most captivating views on the Amalfi Coast, which take you as far as the island of Capri and the Faraglioni rocks.
We made our way to Sorrento next, which was another dramatic cliff rising directly above the waters of Italy’s Mediterranean coastline. You will not find more spectacular views over the Bay of Naples than this. It was almost like a maze walking around the narrow lanes in this historic center flanked by cute boutiques, cafès, gelaterias, art galleries and of course the ubiquitous limoncello sellers with views of stunning sealine on the other side. The picture perfect hills are lined with citrus groves abundant with lemons that thrive everywhere. You can visit The Cloister of San Francesco and The Basilica di Sant’Antonino on your walk around the town. We were lucky to catch a few glimpses of a local wedding here. We drove next to Pompei, one of the most significant testimonies of the Roman civilization with an encyclopedia of information for history buffs on art, culture and trade. It is like time travelling to the past. The city has re-emerged from the darkness of centuries when it was unfortunately buried during the destructive eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD.
It was time to head back to our cruise line and turn up the Caribbean cool with couples’ cocktails by the poolside at the Lime and Coconut, rock out on the dance floor to the best cover bands in the biz at Music Hall and end the evening with CATS, an Original Theater Production Broadway Musical at the Royal Theater on Decks 4 and 5. Our dinner was at the Main Dining Hall.
Cruise Day
The next morning was a cruise day so and we sat down for wine tasting some of the best wines from across the world followed by a hearty lunch at El Loco. We also indulged in some retail therapy from a great selection of handbags and trinkets. Soon it was time for a round of cocktails at the Vintages Bar followed by an early Italian dinner at Giovanni’s Table. The night was reserved for Adult Comedy starring Rocky Osborn at the Royal Theater. We went straight to bed after this as we were really excited for an early morning stop at Spain.
Barcelona, Spain
One of the brightest jewels of the Mediterranean, we were looking forward to spending the day discovering one of the coolest cultural hubs in Western Europe. This lively seaside city checks all the boxes — history, culture, amazing Spanish tapas, a thriving art scene and so much more. We kickstarted our day visiting the Sagrada Familia, a Roman Catholic Church designed by the renowned Catalan architect Antoni Gaudi. We marvelled at the stunning architecture of this church and couldn’t stop clicking countless pictures here. We explored more of the city’s landmark modernist architecture with a scenic drive past the whimsical Casa Mila and Gaudi’s Casa Batlló. It started drizzling so we stepped indoors for a ham tasting tour. We immersed ourselves in the flavourful world of Spanish cuisine with a Jamón experience, learning about the region’s famous iberico ham.
We rubbed elbows with the locals next at Plaza Nova, browsing around stores and cafes, before heading to the ancient Roman relics at the Barcelona City History Museum in the vibrant Gothic Quarter. We also saw the enchanting Pont del Bisbe and the awe-inspiring Barcelona Cathedral. We uncovered a hidden gem of Renaissance architecture in the heart of Barcelona with a visit to Palau del Lloctinent’s tranquil charming courtyard where the whispers of history and stunning design captivate. Food lovers can head to Mercat de Sant Josep de la Boqueria, a foodie pilgrimage which was a covered market back in the 1200s. It was time to head back to our ship for a carefully curated dinner at the Main Dining Room, ending the night on a high note with a duet at the Spotlight Karaoke.
Palma De Mallorca, Balearic Islands, Spain
It was a beautiful day out as we set off on our shore excursion to the ‘Pearl of the Mediterranean’, brimming with Mediterranean flair. Palma is Mallorca’s vibrant capital, stylish and intimate, yet bustling with life. Located in the south of the island, Palma looks out over the shimmering Mediterranean Sea, with the main attractions around the massive Gothic Cathedral by the seafront in the old town, full of passages and historic monuments. We started our city tour from the Mallorca Cathedral, Basílica de Santa María de Mallorca that has one of the largest rose windows in the world. It was built in 1229 and therefore architecturally considered a Gothic temple, although its main doorway was completed in 1601 and belongs to the late Renaissance period. You can also take a tour of the cathedral rooftops and enjoy the entire city views of Palma from up there.
Playa de Palma is a long stretch of sandy beach just south of Palma’s cultural centre that called out for us and we just had to take a dip in its pristine waters. A quick coffee at one of the cafes here and it was already time to reach the cruise pick up point.
Our dinner that night was booked at Port Side Bbq. It was quite a meaty yet delicious affair with smoked marbled brisket, pulled pork and turkey legs, to beef ribs with classic sides of mac and cheese, homestyle cornbread, baked beans and coleslaw and down-home desserts like the Banana Dream and Brookie. We were in for a musical night at the Music Hall this time, which was karaoke in a more formal setting than the Spotlight Karaoke with serious singers singing some soulful renditions.
Marseille (Provence), France
Our majestic beauty Oasis of the Seas docked at Provence the next morning and we hopped off to explore some of the most beautiful villages in France. We started with an Olive Tasting tour at The Bastide du Laval outside the quaint village of Cadenet in the southern part of the Luberon, in the heart of Provence, France. This was followed by tasting some delicious French cuisine, shopping at Le Village and a wine tasting tour at La Cavale Winery in Cucuron, France. Soon it was time to hop onboard the Royal Caribbean cruise for some nonstop parties and siesta as it set sail to another stunning destination.
La Spezia, Italy
We explored the best of Tuscany, Florence and Pisa on our last off shore excursion. We took the day trip from Florence to visit the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the Cathedral of Pisa in Piazza dei Miracoli. The structure of this architectural marvel of medieval engineering leans at an angle due to its unstable foundation that was laid on soft ground that couldn’t support its weight. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is part of the Piazza dei Miracoli, which also includes the Pisa Cathedral and Baptistry1. There are around 296 steps and you can climb to the top for a stunning view of the city. We also spent the afternoon in Lucca, a nearby city and enjoyed delicious local Ligurian cuisine of seafood pasta. The Liguria Region of Italy, offers many other attractions. Don’t miss a walk around the buzzing Piazza Della Signoria, a w-shaped square in front of the Palazzo Vecchio in Florence.
As we headed back to the Main Dining Room for our last dinner onboard, we reminisced on the most treasured seven days in Europe on and off shore. It was certainly a cruise of a lifetime and now we can say with conviction that we are complete cruise converts, already planning our next cruise to another exotic destination. Ciao!