Oasis of the Seas Delivered! Will It Sail Full?

Huge news for Royal Caribbean today: the Oasis of the Seas was officially delivered this afternoon in Finland. The delivery of a new ship is always a big day for a cruise line, but especially so this time. Brand new ship design, 50% larger than any other cruise ship, many innovative features... we all know the list. Financing was secured, the check cleared, and the ship is now officially

Film Your Way Onboard the Oasis of the Seas!

Do you know how to turn on your video recorder and press play? Great! Then you're eligible to win a pre-inaugural cruise onboard the hottest new ship on the horizon, Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas, with veteran cruise reporter (and all-around great guy) Gene Sloan of USA Today.

Royal Caribbean and USA TODAY are joining forces to launch a “Reporter at Sea” contest in search of a talented citizen journalist for the chance to report for USA TODAY’S Cruise Log alongside Gene Sloan on one of the biggest travel stories of the year – the unveiling of Oasis of the Seas. Starting today through October 9, 2009, aspiring journalists are invited to enter to win the coveted job of special field correspondent onboard Oasis of the Seas' preview sailing alongside USA TODAY’S own cruise editor, Gene Sloan. Once onboard the ship, the lucky winner will receive behind-the-scenes access to file reports that will appear at USA TODAY’s Cruise Log about one of the most buzzed about hospitality and entertainment stories of the year. In addition to the United States, the “Reporter at Sea” contest is searching for journalists in Canada, Germany, Mexico, and the United Kingdom with one winner from each country.

Gene Sloan is one of the best versed reporters covering the cruise industry, so if you are a cruise fanatic, it's your chance to talk cruise "politics" trends and issues with someone who knows the biz inside and out. And of course we all know that the inauguration of the Royal Caribbean Oasis of the Seas is THE big story for the next few months. You'll be onboard before the first paying guests, be able to check out all the new features (and have some of the first cupcakes from the Cupcake Cupboard), sleep in a brand new bed, and take in that "new ship smell" that all cruisers long to experience.

Eager reporters-to-be can audition for the assignment of a lifetime by submitting a creative video no longer than 45 seconds at reporteratsea.usatoday.com. The video should showcase his/her best reporting skills and tout why Royal Caribbean should select him/her to serve as a citizen journalist onboard Oasis of the Seas. Videos will be judged based on creativity and quality, as well as the entrant’s ability to entertain, effectively bring to life and clearly explain travel or cruising concepts, and articulate why he/she should be chosen to represent their country.

Once the entry period ends, judges will select 10 finalists per country, and voters will choose their favorite video between October 20 and October 25. One winner from each country will be simultaneously announced on November 4 and will be flown with a guest to Fort Lauderdale, Fla., to cover the first pre-inaugural cruise onboard Oasis of the Seas from November 19 to November 22.

Submit your creative video showcasing your best reporting skills at www.reporteratsea.usatoday.com. Residents in Canada, Mexico, the UK and Germany can enter at www.oasisoftheseas.com/reporteratsea.

This is an exciting opportunity! Get your video in by October 9, 2009!

Breaking News! Oasis of the Seas Inaugural Date Change!

Just received a call from Royal Caribbean, and it appears the Oasis of the Seas will be delivered ahead of schedule! Because of this, they are making some changes to the inaugural schedule.

Passengers currently booked on the December 12, 2009 inaugural are being offered the option to move to the new December 5 inaugural sailing, retaining the same pricing and cabin. There is an exclusive window of time for those passengers so those desiring to move may do so, then the December 5 sailing will go on sale to the public.

In addition, they've added a 4-night pre-inaugural sailing to Labadee on December 1. For those passengers booked on the December 12 inaugural, who move their bookings to the December 5 sailing and add on the December 1 pre-inaugural, there is an onboard credit offer.

The 4-night pre-inaugural will go on sale to the public on January 12.

If you're booked on the December 12 date, you will be hearing either from Royal Caribbean or your travel agent to take care of your booking. However, if you don't hear in the next few days, you may want to give them a call yourself to make sure you're all set.

If you'd like to book the new December 5, 2009 inaugural sailing, or the December 1 pre-inaugural 4-night cruise, give me a call or email me and I'll take care of you!