Published on : Wednesday, April 6, 2016
Royal Caribbean International made a double announcement regarding Australia’s very first new-build cruise ship, the ground-breaking US$1 billion Ovation of the Seas.
The company revealed that the newest, biggest and most technologically advanced ship for Australia will now extend her maiden season down under with four extra cruises during this forthcoming summer 2016/17 season. In addition, it was confirmed that Ovation of the Seas will return for a second season in summer 2017/18 due to the extraordinary demand for the ship from Australians. Together these new programs will add almost 60,000 new beds to the local cruise market.
“The level of interest for Ovation of the Seas has exceeded all of our expectations; we’re currently over 90 per cent sold for next summer’s sailings,” said Adam Armstrong, managing director, Royal Caribbean Australasia. “She is a true game-changer and such was the high demand for the ship that we’ve been able to secure four extra cruises from Sydney, which will extend the season into late February 2017.
“This extension of her maiden season – plus her subsequent return in summer 2017/18 – reaffirms Australia’s position as one of the most significant cruising markets in the world and Royal Caribbean’s position as Sydney’s leading cruise line,” Armstrong continued.
“We are delivering Australians the most modern style of cruising from their doorstep – a style they previously had to travel overseas for. Australia has asked for more and we will deliver; four more cruises, a return at the end of 2017, and more opportunities to experience a brand new era of cruising on Ovation of the Seas, purpose-built for the Asia Pacific market,” Armstrong concluded.
When she debuts in April, Ovation of the Seas will claim the title of equal third largest cruise ship in the world – eclipsed only by Royal Caribbean’s twin ships Allure of the Seas and Oasis of the Seas. She is the third ship in the ground-breaking Quantum Class and brings a set of first-at-sea experiences to Australia including Ripcord by iFLY, a heart-pounding skydiving experience; the North Star glass viewing pod, a stunning new way to see the world from 90 metres above sea level; cutting-edge venues that change from day to night, including SeaPlex, the largest indoor sports and entertainment complex at sea with bumper cars, a circus school and more; Two70 an immersive, multimedia entertainment venue complete with dancing Roboscreens; and the robotic Bionic Bar, where robots stir and shake your drinks.
Ovation has reimagined dining on a cruise ship with a choice of 18 unique restaurant concepts, including Jamie’s Italian, Michael’s Genuine Pub, the enchanting Wonderland and Royal Caribbean favourites like Chops Grille steakhouse and Izumi Japanese.
Technology has been amped up with high speed internet offering the fastest bandwidth at sea so guests can connect and stream as quickly as they would onshore, while the Royal iQ app makes keeping track of your onboard schedule simple with all bookings and cruise details stored and updated automatically.
Ovation of the Seas is nearing completion and will launch later this month, sailing from Southampton for a short sojourn in Europe before repositioning via Dubai and Singapore on a 52-day “Global Odyssey” to arrive in Beijing (Tianjin) for her inaugural China season commencing 24 June 2016. On 30 November 2016, she will set sail on a 15-night Singapore to Sydney voyage via Fremantle, Adelaide and Hobart, repositioning to her new home down under for her maiden Australian season in December.
Guests who are booked on the 23 January 2017 repositioning cruise from Sydney to Singapore will be contacted directly and offered first choice of sailings to rebook, including the revised repositioning itinerary scheduled for four weeks later.
Tags: australia, cruise news, Global Travel News, Ovation of the Seas, Royal Caribbean international
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