MIAMI – Central Park, the first of seven exceptional neighborhoods unveiled on Royal Caribbean International’s Oasis of the Seas, will create a variety of experiences that beckon visitors to explore and learn about flora from around the world:

• A series of columns interlaced with vines will be just one of the welcoming entry points into Central Park, elegantly landscaped with tropical foliage and seasonal flowers, shrubs and trees.
  • Drifts of Calla Lilies among Giant Elephant Ears, Red Ginger, Rabbit Foot Ferns, Banana Croton, Gold Dust Dracaena, Butterfly Lily, and Zebra Calathea are some of the plant life guests will discover.
  • Impressive ‘Green Walls’ spanning 25 feet and four stories high will host flowering vines and a variety of ferns such as Red & White Mandevilla, Twinspur ‘Red Ace’, Verbena and Silver Pothos. The park will also have changing displays of accent plants, such as Birds of Paradise and various Orchids (Phalaenopsis, Cymbidium, Colmanara Wildcat).
  • Trees, some eventually reaching more than two-and-a-half decks high, will include Cherry of the Rio Grande, Fern Pine, Amstel King Ficus and Golden Bamboo. Fragrant additions will include Orange Jasmine and Allspice (scents of cinnamon and clove drift from leaves and bark.)
• Drawing on the concept of surprise and intrigue, garden spaces throughout Central Park will sprout from charming pathways.
  • The Pergola Garden will be a unique interpretive plant garden, featuring vegetation from a host of Caribbean locales where guests will see shade-grown Coffee plants and budding Pineapple plants, as well as learn about the origin of spices, such as cinnamon and nutmeg.
  • The Sculpture Garden will integrate artwork from international artists and unique plantings, while Sweet Olive trees will frame a cozy area to sit and enjoy a view of the Park.
  • The Chess Garden will be located next to a large Cuban Laurel tree and framed with Painted Bamboo where guests can challenge each other to a game of chess or checkers with large-scale pieces. Or for a more intimate experience, personal game tables will be found off the main path.
• The middle pathway will transport guests over a bridge spanning a ’river of plants‘ and past a series of special gardens, restaurants and cafés, as well as boutique shops to the central square, lined with colorful Kumquat and lacey Black Olive trees.
• The Park’’s horticulturalist will teach guests about the Central Park gardens, general gardening techniques, and provide lessons on the distinctive and unusual ecology of Caribbean plants.
• Irrigation and drainage systems will be incorporated, along with micro-climate control techniques.
• The landscape architects and architects responsible for the design of the Central Park gardens are The Waterfield Design Group of Winchester, Mass. and Wilson Butler Associates of Boston.
• Atkins Limited of Surrey, England served as the lead design architects of Central Park.

When she launches in late 2009, Oasis of the Seas will be the largest and most revolutionary cruise ship in the world. An architectural marvel at sea, she will span 16 decks, encompass 220,000 gross registered tons (GRT), carry 5,400 guests at double occupancy, and feature 2,700 staterooms. Oasis of the Seas will be the first ship to tout the cruise line’s new neighborhood concept of seven distinct themed areas, which includes Central Park, Boardwalk, and the Royal Promenade. The ship will sail from her home port of Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Additional information is available at www.oasisoftheseas.com.

Royal Caribbean International is a global cruise brand with 21 ships currently in service and two under construction. The line also offers unique cruisetour vacations in Alaska and Canada, Asia, Australia and New Zealand, Europe, and South America. For additional information or to make reservations, call your travel agent, visit www.royalcaribbean.com or call (800) ROYAL-CARIBBEAN. For travel professionals, go to www.cruisingpower.com or call (800) 327-2056.