The world may have turned a few thousand times since I first stood on the decks of Oasis of the Seas. Then it was in far off Florida as she prepared for her magnificent naming ceremony.

As is the way of such events, the ship was hardly full to capacity. As such I was able to stand back and gape at the sheer scale of the vessel. Quite simply she was, and remains, a spectacle to behold.

With seven unique ‘neighbourhoods’ ranging from the first open park at sea, a recreation of an American boardwalk complete with Aqua Theatre, and the incredible Royal Promenade that is the signature of the last three classes of Royal Caribbean ships (Voyager, Freedom and now Oasis), she was quite spellbinding.

A floating marvel that would transport over 6,000 guests at a time to world-class destinations in world-class luxury and enjoying world-class entertainment and facilities.

And there was the rub. Enormous as Oasis undoubtedly was, could any cruise ship live up to such expectation and promise with 6,000 people on board plus a further 2,000 crew?

The answer turns out to be an emphatic yes, I can report. Even when full, Oasis provides whatever your expectations are for the cruise of a lifetime.

Looking for a little peace and quiet? Amble down to the Central Park at any time of the day for a drink in a sidewalk cafe or lunch among the breeze-blown trees. In the evening, with starry skies above and the warm night air, Central Park turns out to be the ideal setting for dining al fresco.

Looking for a little more action? Head for the Royal Promenade with its huge array of shops, novel eateries, traditional pub and exciting bars. It’s here you can hitch a ride on the Rising Tides bar, an amazing creation where guests enjoying a soothing tipple are lifted, quite literally, to the decks above, emerging into the Central Park.

Even more nightlife is on offer in the fantastic Dazzles club set on two decks, or for the real night owls the adults-only Blaze nightclub.

Something in between the sedate and frenetic? Try the fabulous, full-on, full scale shows in the amazing Opal theatre; or Comedy Live; or a breathtaking, splashing-fun event at the Aqua Theatre high-dive shows; or perhaps the most tremendous ice dance show on either land or sea. Still looking for more? Even after a sing-along at karaoke or in the Schooner Bar with piano man Robin?

And to dine? Well, what would you truly expect on board the world’s largest floating palace? Oasis has no less than 24 dining options throughout the ship that ensure there’s something great to eat day and night, from sushi to steaks, crepes, seafood and pasta.

Guests can enjoy the ambience and the full menus of the main restaurant, but set their seating time with the new My Time Dining programme. With no pre-assigned tables, guests can make daily reservations for the time that suits them, or just walk in when ready. Additionally, My Family Time Dining is geared to parents and children aged 3-11 with an expedited 45-minute dining service during early seating only.

Sounds great, but does it work with so many guests? Yes it does, emphatically. And with several fine dining specialty restaurants to choose from – from the fabulous Chops Grille (my favourite) to Izimi offering Asian cuisine and Giovanni’s wonderful Italian-style dining, the temptations are almost endless.

By day the opportunities are just as varied. With the first ever walk-in ‘beach-style’ pool afloat, plus several more swimming pools and hot tubs to choose from, there is always the chance to cool off, or warm up. The adults-only Solarium, with its hydrotherapy pool, hot tubs and deep, plush sunbeds and loungers, is truly an oasis on Oasis.

For thrillseekers there’s the draw of the breath-taking zip-wire at sea, swishing guests high over the Boardwalk with its carousel and diners enjoying a true American experience at Johnny Rocket’s famous burger joint.

Not one but two FlowRider surf zones are where guests can either join in the fun or take a seat and cheer on more adventurous guests. A spot of crazy golf is perhaps a little less frenetic, but the rock climbing walls are a challenge few can resist.

From sports pitches for footie and basketball, from table tennis and deck games, to taking to the ice to try your hand at skating, the possibilities seem endless. Keeping fit? Then why not use the onboard running track which can be accessed from the huge gym area with its state-of-the-art equipment and variety of classes? And when all that effort takes its toll, then surely the on-board spa and the beauty salon beckon.

For kids Oasis is a dream. When they are not racing around the H2O Water Park with its zany collection of madcap fountains and splash pools, they can be found riding the carousel or heading off to their own onboard clubs.

So much to see, so much to do, so much to experience. And my top tip from all the marvelous moments on board? Finding time to enjoy a burger, shake and fries at Johnny Rocket’s on the Boardwalk before a high-diving spectacular at the Aqua Theatre. The best night out at sea for a simple lad.

  • Oasis of the Seas arrives in Southampton City Cruise Terminal at around 9.30-10am on Wednesday. She can be seen from Newport, Isle of Wight at 8.20am, Calshot at 9am, Hythe at 9.25am and Mayflower Park at 9.30am.
  • More information about Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas can be found by visiting royalcaribbean.co.uk.