Sports Deck on the Oasis of the Seas
Back away from the buffet and get up off that lounge chair people! You need to move, move, move! Maybe you’re not a couch potato and prefer physical activities to sitting around. If that’s you, then you’re in luck if you consider a cruise on Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas. The Sports Deck, located on deck 16, might be where everyone will find you because it is filled with plenty of activities for children and adults like the Flowrider pictured above.
Flowrider
There are two Flowriders onboard the Oasis of the Seas. The Flowrider was first introduced by Royal Caribbean on the Freedom Class of ships.
If you’re unfamiliar with what the Flowrider is exactly, it’s a surf simulator where you can surf or boogie board on it. I saw several people in wetsuits, which was smart for the better part of our transatlantic cruise because it was brutally cold.
Check your daily Cruise Compass for hours when the Flowrider up on the Sports Deck is open.
TSG Tip: Private lessons are available but by private they mean a group of people learning to maneuver the Flowrider with you at an additional cost. The one hour lesson means you’ll get more turns at the Flowrider, but I’m not sure it provides sufficient information to warrant calling it a “private lesson.”
Zipline
For something completely different and unique, the Oasis of the Seas offers an 82′ long zipline that’ll have you gliding 9 decks above the Boardwalk on the Sports Deck.
This zip line is great for anyone who hasn’t zip lined before but might be a snooze fest for those who have zip lined previously.
As someone who has zip lined before (In the Amazon, Jamaica, Mexico, and St. Thomas) it was far too short and was over in a matter of seconds.
There were no lines when I tried it and I had a great chat with Tariq from NYC — he was absolutely the friendliest one in the group and he smiled and made conversation while the rest, well… It was almost like someone was watching them and they had to meet a quota in order to keep their jobs.
That kind of set the tone for the experience because if I'm being told it's not about fun, well then I guess I'm not going to have any fun, right? Click To TweetI felt like I was being thrown from one person to the next and quickly. But the worst part was when I got to the actual zipline and asked the crew member if I could lean back, let go, anything other than just hang there. He said, “This is about safety, not fun” and kept repeating that. That kind of set the tone for the experience because if I’m being told it’s not about fun, well then I guess I’m not going to have any fun, right?
On the other end of the zipline was a crew member who said nothing when I came to the landing. The big tough guy didn’t want any interaction with anyone so I got off the platform and scurried off as quickly as I could.
I will, however, give the older people major kudos for doing the zipline. While there were some scaredy cats not willing to give it a go, they tended to be younger people vs. many senior citizens.
Yet another reason to live your life to the fullest each and every day. Clearly those people get that completely.
TSG Tip: When you check in online for your cruise, take the time to complete your waiver forms, too. Once you’re onboard, you most likely don’t want to sit down with paperwork for any of the activities. This will save you time and stress, I promise.
Miniature Golf
We all know kids love miniature golf, but this miniature golf course isn’t just for kids. The game is free and the views are priceless.
It’s great for multigenerational families traveling to get everyone doing something together.
TSG Tip: After golf, walk over to the enclosed ping pong court area near the basketball court and maybe grandpa can take on little Jimmy and show him what he’s made of while mom and dad grab a drink at the Wipe Out Bar near the Flowriders up on the Sports Deck.
Take In The View
But it’s not all about just the activities up high on the Sports Deck. Don’t forget to take in the view, both on the ship and off to sea.
While on the Sports Deck, look at the view down toward the Boardwalk and all around you.
I happen to love the seating made of surfboards, which was completely unusual and perfect all at the same time.
If you’re thinking of going on the zipline, look forward to the suites at the end of the deck. That should motivate you when you see how big the balconies are here.
One of my favorite views on the Oasis of the Seas is aft on the ship near the Flowriders. Click To Tweet
One of my favorite views on the Oasis of the Seas is aft on the ship near the Flowriders. Great views off the ship and it offers a quiet and private area to take in the views without tons of people on top of you. How can you not like that?
Have you tried any of these activities on the Oasis of the Seas? Are you planning a cruise on the Oasis and this was one of the reasons you booked your cruise? Let me know in the comments below. Then check out the rest of the Travel Shop Girl website for more cruise and travel information.