Royal Caribbean Lines makes history as they launch the largest cruise ship ever built, the Oasis of the Seas. It can sail with a maximum of 5,400 passengers, who’ll be in 2,700 posh staterooms, probably each with a towel on the bed in the shape of a swan.

The Oasis of the Seas presents seven different areas, RCL calls onboard neighborhoods. They include replica sections of Central Park, Boardwalk and Royal Promenade. Each has its own unique architecture, stores, restaurants and other features.

Although the designers of the ship didn’t ask for my opinion, there’s one feature I don’t know if I’d like. There are six decks of luxury (high-priced) balcony cabins amidship, all facing inward to the totally artificial version of New York’s Central Park, complete with lawns and trees. Fortunately, it won’t have muggers and poopy dogs.

Hey, RCL bosses, I book balcony cabins on cruises because I enjoy watching the beauties of the beautiful night and day sky, actual ocean rolling below and colorful, real-life harbors we visit. If I wanted to look through a window at Central Park for a week, I’d rent a hotel room overlooking the real thing.

Other innovations include the first sea-going carousel for kid passengers and the Rising Tide Bar, touted by RCL as the first moving bar at sea. I don’t know about that last feature. When passengers drink too much aboard, they’ll soon see the bar ... and everything else on the ship ... shake, rattle and roll for real all over the place.

Just kidding. This great RCL extravaganza of a flagship is well worth considering for your next cruise. For more information, contact your favorite hometown or online agency, or Royal Caribbean at www.royalcaribbean.com