Hopefully we have made clear by now to our readers that the land component of the Oasis of the Seas preparations is a significant area of focus for us as well as the governments and tour operators in each of the destinations. We very much look forward to the many enhancements that are emerging from these intensive efforts. Recently and unfortunately a colleague was quoted in a newspaper saying the ship is so magnificent that it isn’t necessary to visit the destinations. Au contraire. Our research has always shown that destinations are very important to our customers and in fact rank in the top group of decision criteria along with ship, price, sailing date and cruise line reputation. We have partnered with marquee destinations that have attracted and handled millions of guests over the decades. And each one will be better as a result of the preparations for Oasis of the Seas. In this blog entry, I have asked Patrick Schneider, Director, Shore Excursions, to update you on some of the highlights. Patrick is one of the leaders in Craig Milan’s Land Operations group.
My primary responsibility as Director, Shore Excursions is to oversee a team of account managers who identify and develop the tour programs offered worldwide on Royal Caribbean International as well as Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Cruises. As a former Shore Excursion Manager onboard Celebrity, I am passionate about providing our guests the opportunity to experience amazing cultures around the world, to try new things they never thought they would and to simply escape from their day to day routine.
As many guests who will sail on Oasis of the Seas may have been to the ports of St. Thomas, St. Maarten and Nassau before, our challenge was to add some twists on a current theme. Even if you have been somewhere before (even a couple times), there is always a new experience awaiting you. Many of our guests have tried ziplining, driving an ATV or parasailing for the first time on one of our tours.
So, we set out to find new experiences in ports that are well-developed and attract large numbers of cruisers every year – not an easy task for sure. But we are happy to say we have found new options in each port for our repeat guests.
In St. Thomas, we’ll have four tours that will be exclusive to Oasis of the Seas. These include a trip to St. John’s by Schooner that will stop twice for snorkeling in secluded cays which are only accessible by boat. We’re also offering a beach tour to Sapphire Beach and as of the writing of this entry, believe we are the only cruise line offering a beach experience on Sapphire Beach. We’ll have a local concierge available at the beach to assist guests. We’re adding an island tour with a twist – headsets. If you’ve taken tours with us in Europe, you may have used these and we believe this is their first appearance in the Caribbean. And finally, a trip to Jost Van Dyke in the BVIs with two stops for snorkeling. If you haven’t been to this unique island before, it’s a must see!
In St. Maarten, we’re adding a tour called The Extreme. Obviously, anything with a name like that, I had to experience for myself. It’s an intense ropes challenge course with zip lines up to 930 ft. long and 120 ft. high. Not for the faint of heart but a great experience if you’re up for it. (If not, you can always try the “little sister” to The Extreme, the Loterie Tree Top Farm Adventure.) On the Desert Island Escape, you can get away from the crowds on the island of Prickly Pear. No one lives on the island – the staff travels there each day to set up for visitors!
In Nassau, we’re offering three new tours at Atlantis. The first is a chance to swim with Giant Mantas (10 ft wide), sharks and other marine life (yeah, had to check this one out myself as well). There’s also a sea lion interaction at Atlantis so you can get up close and personal with these playful creatures. And, finally, a 9-hole round at the One and Only golf course which is currently only available to Atlantis hotel guests.
The first sailing of Oasis of the Seas has a call to our private destination of Labadee. If you haven’t been there recently, you’re in for a treat. In addition to significant improvements in the infrastructure on the site, we also have some new tours for you. Take a thrilling ride on the Dragon’s Tail Coaster – a not to miss experience! We have two different options for a boat ride with a stop to swim or snorkel. And a more laid back boat trip to discover the beauty in Haiti’s coastline and learn more about its history and culture.
Our team handles the tour programs for over 400 ports of call and we offer over 4,500 tours worldwide. We believe we can find a new experience for every guest who visits these fascinating ports, regardless of how many times they have been there before. That includes the ports Oasis of the Seas will be visiting.
I just wanted to send a message to Mr. Goldstein that my wife and I had a wonderful on a recent cruise on Liberty of the Seas. It was our first cruise with Royal Carribean and was everything we had imagined. It was our third cruise in total but was by far the best. Everything was First Class from the service in all areas to the balcony stateroom and design of the ship. There will be many more cruises in our future and plan on doing them with Royal Carribean. Keep up the tremendous customer service. We are looking forward to eventually, cruising on the Oasis. You did what you needed to do to get us back.
Adam:
It’s great that new activities are being added to these ports. We’ve been there a dozen times already and will go again this winter on Oasis and Freedom. At this point we’re happy just to be on a good ship in fine weather. I can see a bit of WOW in the new choices we will have.
I am a Canadian citizen living in Hong Kong now and I have seen the news report and the video about the Oasis of the Seas, the largest and tallest cruise liner in the world. I was so impressed and excited about the report and everything. I would like to send an email to Mr. Adam Goldstein to find out when we can go onboard this magnificent ship in this part of the world – the Orient.
Is she coming to Asia in the near future?
joseph wong
Dear Mr. Goldstein,
I, along with the family members I have promoted to sail on your ships are Diamond Plus Members. I have 53 credits, as I write. I need to send you a private letter for your view. May I have your business address? I am presuming you are in the Miami office, with the other Corporate Executives. However, I need to make sure before I mail the letter to you. Thank you for your time in this matter. I anxioulsly await your reply.
You can mail your letter to the following address. Thank you, Carol.
1050 Caribbean Way
Miami, FL 33132
(Due to mail processing times, please allow 10-14 days for a response.)
Hi,
We are looking forward to our march 6, 2010 cruises with Oasis of the Seas. We have tried Liberty of the Seas, Voyager of the Seas and Adventure of the Seas and they are all wonderful ships par excellence and definitely oasis is a dream come true for all future cruisers. I would like to congratulate the management of royal caribbean for giving the public such a wonderful vacation experience. I might say a cruise that everyone should experience in their lifetime. I am particular when it comes to cruising because I easily throw up and get dizzy and sea sick because of the waves, that explains why I only go for royal caribeean cruise ships from the voyager classes to the freedoms ships and now Oasis & Allure. I can tell you this, I only go for ROYAL CARIBBEAN WHEN IT COMES TO CRUISING AND THAT IS THE TRUTH. Again congratulations and more power to the management, you gave us the public such a wonderful lifetime memories.
Thank you,
Mary Louise Paulk
I am booked on the April 3rd 2010 sailing of the Oasis of the Sea and looking to speak with other passengers who will be traveling during that cruise.
My husband and I are scheduled for a cruise aboard the Jewel on the Seas on Dec. 11th. We do not have a passport and was told by representative at Royal Caribbean that we do not need one (birth certificate and drivers license is needed). However, when filling out online check-in the drop down box only has passport which then I am not able to check-in online. I did fax the info today. Please confirm that we do not need a passport as Dec 11th is shortly coming up and I am worried. Thank you.
Attn. Richard FEIN CEO Royal Carribean Lines Ltd. Please take whatever steps you deem necessary to save the declining CELEBRITY CRUISE LINE!Three illness cruisesthis month aboard the mercury is too much!It appears that DAN HANRAHANS penny pinching ways are catching up to him.WE HAVE SAILED CELEBRITY 9 TIMES IN AS MANY YEARS AND HAVE OBSERVED THE STEADY SLOW DECLINE!WEDO NOT UNDERSTAND THE COMPENSATION FOR PAASSENGER CONFINEMENT FOR QUARANTINE I BECAME ILL ON THE MERCURY {SALING ON FEB.15 2010}.THE DOCTOR CONFINED ME FOR 3DAYS.COMPENSATION WAS $205.00 BASED ON A $3200.00 FARE.WHAT AN INSULT!THEY MUST HAVE THOUGHT WE WERE STUPID!I READ THAT ILL PASSENGERS ON THE LATEST FIASCO WERE OFFERED COMPENSATION PLUS A 25% DISCOUNT BASED ON THEIR CRUISE FARE!WHERE IS THE COSISTENCY OR DO EMPLOYEES JUST DO AS THEY PLEASE?}WHERE WAS HANRAHAN?DOES HE HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT GOES ON?
What are you looking for safety wise to make sure these excursions are safe for the guests? Are there certain standards that need to be met in order for these excursions to be recommended by you? The excursions booked through the ship have always been pushed as being safer, but really, how much safer are they really?
Hi Heather. Our shore excursion vendors are vetted in a variety of different ways, these include researching their reputation in the local community; visiting their facilities to see how they operate; evaluating the standards by which they operate and determine if those meet our standards or standards set by their specific industries; require that they maintain specific levels of insurance, which are standard to the industry involved.