By Brian | Take the Trip by Brian

After years of hearing about Royal Caribbean’s legendary Oasis-class ships, I finally made it aboard the Oasis of the Seas — and let me tell you, this ship is on another level. This is my first time on an Oasis-class ship, and from the moment I stepped onboard, I could tell I was in for something special.

To avoid the embarkation day crowds, I skipped the busy buffet and headed straight to Park Café in Central Park. Total pro move. It was peaceful, quick, and the roast beef sandwich (aka the famous Kummelweck) hit the spot. Central Park itself? Honestly, beyond words. It is hard to believe you are on a cruise ship when you’re walking through this beautifully landscaped open-air space. It is lush, quiet, and feels like a hidden escape in the middle of the sea.

Our stateroom overlooks Central Park, and even though we did not have a balcony, the window view is stunning. I love opening the curtains, seeing the greenery, and hearing the soft sounds of the area below. It is peaceful, unique, and already one of my favorite parts of the ship.

For dinner, we chose My Time Dining, which gave us a lot of flexibility — something I really appreciated after a long day of travel and exploring. The food? Really solid. I had the prime rib, cooked exactly right, and to my surprise (and joy), they had escargot on the menu — one of my absolute favorites. Yes, I went for it, and yes, I would do it again.

After dinner, we checked out the adult comedy show. It was packed, clearly a hot ticket on the first night. The comedians brought the laughs — a little edgy, just how I like it. But after the show, I could feel the long day catching up with me. Between travel, excitement, exploring, and eating way too much, I was done.

Final thoughts on Day 1? The ship is spotless, the crew is friendly and helpful, and the energy onboard is just fun. I am already seeing why people love the Oasis-class ships so much. Tomorrow, we dive deeper into all the fun — cannot wait.

—Brian