Inside world's biggest cruise ship | Northern Rivers News | Local News in Northern Rivers

WHEN Ross Quigly boards the world’s largest cruise ship this week, he will not be worried about getting lost while navigating his way around the 16 decks and 2706 rooms.

He figures that with 34 bars, 27 restaurants and nearly 1100 hospitality staff taking care of the food and beverage operations on the $1.66 billion Oasis of the Seas, there will be plenty of replenishment within arm’s reach.

Mr Quigly, a veteran cruise specialist from Harvey World Travel Noosa, received an invitation to the Oasis of the Seas’ maiden voyage after being recently named Australia’s best cruise consultant by Travel Weekly magazine.

He is one of only a handful of Australians to be offered the opportunity.

The cruise ship will set sail from Port Everglades, Florida, on Friday November 24, for a three-night journey through the Caribbean. The Oasis of the Seas, owned by Royal Caribbean International, is five times larger than the Titanic.

It has the capacity to carry almost 6000 guests and 2165 crew.

The monstrous ship is 360 metres long and 64 metres wide.

Mr Quigly told the Daily while on his way to Brisbane International Airport yesterday that he could not wait to experience the "once-in-a-lifetime opportunity".

"I am looking forward to enjoying the FlowRider surf simulator, ice skating rink, aquatic amphitheatre and an original handcrafted carousel," he said.

"I have travelled on some extraordinary ships in my time, but this one is something out of the ordinary. I don’t think I’ll get bored – this ship is like a destination in itself.’’

"The cruise ship is bigger than some regional Queensland towns.

"I’ll be staying on deck 12, so I imagine the views will be pretty good.

"As far as state-of-the-art contemporary cruise ships go, I’m expecting experiences aboard the Oasis to be unrivalled by any other."

Mr Quigly said the first night on the Oasis of the Seas, he would eat Mexican and then eat his way around the world.

AT A GLANCE

Royal Carribean’s $1.66 billion Oasis of the Seas has 16 decks, weighs 220,000 tonnes and can carry almost 6000 passengers.

Among its entertainment facilities, it has a FlowRider surf simulator, ice-skating rinks, cantilevered whirlpools, 21 swimming pools and rock climbing walls.

It divides the ship into seven "neighbourhoods", called Central Park, Boardwalk, the Royal Promenade, Pool and Sports Zone, Spa and Fitness Centre, Entertainment Place and Youth Zone.