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Oasis of Dreams Rehearsals - The Royal Caribbean Fan Blog.

When the ocming of Oasis of the Seas was announced to the world, one of the first features highlighted was the Aqua Theater. Situated at the very end of the ship, the seating bowl spills outward from the end of Boardwalk. The Aqua Theater hosts more unique features in one location than most new cruise ships do through their entire design. As the name implies the theater is centered around a large diving pool. Three tiers of diving platforms flank the pool on two sides. A trampoline emerges from the adjacent stage and adds a different dimension to what the show offers. A "fly gallery" allows actors to fly into and out of the area, even emerging from under the water. Under the water are three stage platforms. These rise above the water to allow for the entire stage space to be used or sink quietly for dramatic effect.

In our video here, you see the Aqua Theater from a deck ten stateroom balcony over Boardwalk. The cast is rehearsing a few hours before a show. The video screens were being replaced on this cruise so you might notice they are missing from the right side of the theater house. As a people watcher this view was one of the attractions of the cabin. Love Royal Caribbean?

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From the Blogs

Ala Carte Charges on NCL.

This week I observed a good deal of buzz in the blog and online venues about Norwegian Cruise Line adding ala carte pricing to several speciality dining options on their ships. This on top of surcharges in the traditional main dining room for premium items and late night room service. The collective reaction has been to bemoan the perceived death of traditional cruising and the rise of nickel and diming passengers. However I think on balance the reaction is greatly overstated.

NCL made a name for itself over a decade ago, when the line was struggling to find an identity for itself amidst fierce competition from Royal Caribbean and the Carnival brands. Still owned by an asian cruise company that had failed miserably to manage NCL well, in 2000 “Freestyle Cruising” was introduced. A bold marketing move, it featured giving passengers the ability to book their meal times and locations in various shipboard restaurants. Naturally, the cruising establishment bemoaned the death of traditional main dining room meals-which did not and has yet to happen. This came a couple of years following Royal Caribbean introducing the first premium dining options aboard the Voyager Class of ships-which also were lamented as some harbinger of doom for main dining.

Port Talks: Hurricane Maria Notes - Tuesday Night.

Hurricane Maria bares down on Puerto Rico.

Puerto Rico, which was spared a direct hit from Hurricane Irma will not escape without taking the brunt of Maria head-on. The Dominican Republic is due to take a hard but glancing blow following Maria rolling over Puerto Rico. No new cruise cancelations have been announced as of now. Follow our special blog Port Talks here, and share your reviews at PortTalks.com. For those Facebook fans, Like us there Facebook!

The Red Cross hurricane relief page for those that wish to help.

Puerto Vallarta Visits Curtailed.

: Category: Cruise Aficionados Cruise Aficionados

The historically peaceful Puerto Vallarta has been under the shadow of drug cartel driven violence for some time. Now major cruise lines have curtailed their visits as they watch heavily armed groups of cartel rebels fight local and federal Mexican troops draw closer to the city itself. No cruise passengers have been impacted by the violence but lines have increasingly been pro-active in avoiding areas where risk is elevated. The moves to avoid the immediate area mirror calls for caution from most western governments including the U.S. and Canada. The U.S. State Department has placed Puerto Vallarta on its warning list advising travelers to avoid it.

"Dynamic Dining" invades the Oasis.

: Category: Cruise Aficionados Cruise Aficionados

Due for introduction aboard Royal Caribbean International’s Quantum of the Seas, Dynamic Dining is now going to be introduced on the colossal Oasis of the Seas. Dynamic Dining is the Royal Caribbean approach toward “freestyle dining” which Norwegian Cruise Line brought to the industry some years ago.

Dynamic Dining essentially has passengers rotating through a series of different restaurants. Akin to the NCL approach you have means to choose where you go within reason. This is also not unlike Disney Cruise Line cycling passengers through a few different locations. Likewise, this move comes after years of decentralizing the dining experience aboard ships of the Voyager class or larger as premium and “my time” options were introduced.

Cunard Queens to circle globe together.

: Category: Cruise Aficionados Cruise Aficionados

On January 10, 2016, the three “Queens” of Cunard will leave Southampton for a five month journey together around the globe. Cruise ships Queen Elizabeth, Queen Victoria will sail with purebred ocean liner Queen Mary 2 and return to return to the UK May 10, 2016. Their itineraries will vary, each visiting slightly different ports of calls in many cases. However all three will remain in the same region as they progress through Asia and back to Europe.

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Puerto Vallarta Visits Curtailed.

"Dynamic Dining" invades the Oasis.

Cunard Queens to circle globe together.

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