AUSTRALIA’S NEWEST, LARGEST AND MOST ADVANCED CRUISE SHIP ON SALE 18 JUNE

Royal Caribbean International announces itineraries and opens bookings for Ovation of the Seas

Thursday 18th June 2015 – Watch out Australia - the world’s most spectacular and newest cruise ship will be heading your way in the 2016/17 summer. Royal Caribbean International has today unveiled the much anticipated Australasian itineraries for Ovation of the Seas, after announcing earlier that the USD$1 billion engineering marvel was earmarked for Australia. The world’s largest cruise brand has also revealed bookings for the game-changing vessel, currently under construction in Germany, are open for sale today. 

Ovation of the Seas will arrive in Australia for the first time when she docks in Perth on 6 December 2016 and she will be the largest cruise ship to ever call Australia home. At 348 metres long, stood upright she is almost 40 metres taller than Sydney Tower. Carrying almost 6,500 guests and crew, Ovation of the Seas carries double the population of NSW towns such as Bourke and more than the total populations of towns like Margaret River and Denmark in WA, Airlie Beach, Queensland, and Howard Springs in NT. With 2,090 staterooms onboard, she has triple the number of rooms of Australia’s largest hotel, the Four Points by Sheraton Sydney. 

“At USD$1 billion, Ovation of the Seas represents the single largest investment in Australia and New Zealand cruising by any cruise line. This ship truly ignites the imagination about what is possible on a cruise holiday – from skydiving in the middle of the ocean, robot bartenders, to North Star, an observation capsule that transports you more than 90 metres above the sea providing stunning 360 degree views,” said Sean Treacy, commercial director, Royal Caribbean International, Australia & South East Asia.

“Being the imaginative and adventure-loving nation that we are, it is not surprising that over 20,000 Aussies have pre-registered their interest since we first announced her local deployment. Ovation of the Seas’ first season will be historic and we can’t wait for Australians to experience the world’s most advanced ship right on our doorstep,” Treacy said.

“In her first season alone, Ovation of the Seas is projected to inject more than $20million into the Australian economy with 14 total calls across the country, and almost 30,000 guests are expected to experience the new generation of cruise ship. Some of the other delights her guests can look forward to include bumper cars, a circus school, spectacular shows in the custom-built Two70 entertainment venue, 18 different dining options including Jamie’s Italian by Jamie Oliver, Broadway shows and high speed internet.”

The brand new ship will make its first Australian call at Fremantle in WA on 6 December 2016. From Fremantle she will visit Adelaide and Hobart* before arriving in Sydney on 15 December to kick start her maiden Australian season.

Ovation of the Seas will offer four sailings from Sydney during her summer season starting from 15 December 2016, including:

* A 15-night New Zealand cruise beginning with an overnight in Sydney on 15 December 2016 followed by calls at Hobart, the Milford Sounds region, Dunedin, Wellington, Picton, Tauranga and Auckland.

* A 10-night New Year cruise around New Zealand departing 30 December 2016, with calls at the Milford Sound region, Dunedin, Wellington, Napier and Picton.

* A 14-night cruise during the January school holidays with visits to Bay of Islands, Tauranga, Auckland, Wellington, Picton, Dunedin, and the Milford Sounds region.

* Ovation of the Seas leaves Australia on 23 January 2017 with a 14-night Sydney to Singapore cruise visiting Brisbane, Darwin and Kuala Lumpur (Port Klang).

With only four local cruises, Ovation of the Seas’ maiden season is expected to sell out fast, especially with launch savings of up to $750**. Fares start from just AUD$1,999 per person the 10-night New Zealand New Year cruise departing Sydney on 30 December 2016. 

Ovation of the Seas is the third ship in the ground-breaking Quantum Class. She will introduce a new set of first-at-sea onboard experiences to Australia including the Ripcord by iFLY, a heart-pounding skydiving experience; North Star, a thrilling adventure that will transport guests as high as the Sydney Harbour Bridge; cutting-edge transformative venues including SeaPlex, the largest indoor sports and entertainment complex at sea with bumper cars, a circus school and more; and the robotic Bionic Bar. Ovation has also reimagined dining onboard with the introduction of “Dynamic Dining” where guests can choose from 18 unique restaurant concepts, including Jamie’s Italian, Michael’s Genuine Pub, the enchanting Wonderland and Royal Caribbean favourites including Chops Grille steakhouse and Izumi Japanese. 

Technology has also been amped up on Ovation of the Seas with high speed internet offering more bandwidth than all other cruise ships combined so guests can stream, video call and more as fast as they would onshore. New radio frequency smart bands also mean you can get into your stateroom and make onboard purchases without the need for the cruise card. 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 will be the fifth ship in the Royal Caribbean Australian fleet for summer 2016/17, joining four other superliners – Voyager of the Seas, Explorer of the Seas and Radiance of the Seas in Sydney and Legend of the Seas in Brisbane – offering an expansive range of the newest, most modern and exciting style of cruising Australians have ever experienced. 

For further information on any of Royal Caribbean International’s 2015/16 season or to book a cruise, contact your local travel agent, phone 1800 754 500 or visit www.royalcaribbean.com.au 

OVATION OF THE SEAS FACTS 348m long (over 3 football fields)

Over 50m tall

168,666 GRT

18 decks

4,905 guests

1,500 crew

USD$1 billion price tag

*This is a chartered cruise.

**Terms and conditions apply, for more information and full terms and conditions, visit: www.royalcaribbean.com.au

Information supplied by: Royal Caribbean International.

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