A few weeks ago we visited Ovation of the Seas, Royal Caribbean’s newest smart ship while she visited Belgium. You can read more about that visit by viewing our post Ovation of the Seas – a visit. Ovation of the Seas is currently on a 52-night “Global Odyssey” culminating in her arrival to her homeport in Tianjin, China.
On her first visit to Singapore, where a plaque and key ceremony was held in the presence of over 200 government and industry partners, Royal Caribbean International announced that it will homeport its billion-dollar smartship in Singapore in 2017.
During the ceremony Mr Gavin Smith, Royal Caribbean’s Senior Vice President, International, said, “We’re thrilled to bring one of the world’s most innovative cruise ships to Singapore and the region, and take cruise travel here to new heights. Joining Mariner of the Seas and Voyager of the Seas, the addition of Ovation of the Seas means we will have the largest cruise fleet deployment of any brand in Southeast Asia, increasing Royal Caribbean’s capacity in 2017 in Southeast Asia by 30 per cent over 2016.”
Delivered in April this year Ovation of the Seas, at 347m long, 168,666 gross registered tonnes, carrying 4,905 guests in total and laden with first-at sea features and technologies, will be the largest and most technologically-advanced ship to call Singapore home next year.
Over her 10 sailings from March to April 2017, Ovation of the Seas is expected to add some 42,000 additional guests to the Singapore cruising scene, and delivering millions through in-port spend. She will offer return trips ranging from 3 to 5 nights to Penang, Phuket, Bangkok (Laem Chabang), and a one-way cruise to Tianjin with calls at Ho Chi Minh City (Phu My) for an overnight, Hue/Danang (Chan May), Hong Kong and Seoul (Incheon).
Ovation of the Seas is currently on the final leg of her “Global Odyssey”, a 12-night repositioning sailing, to Tianjin calling at Ho Chi Minh City (Phu My), Hong Kong (overnight), Xiamen and Seoul (Incheon). After her summer season in Tianjin she will make a repositioning cruise back to Singapore later this year.
Some of the key features of the 18-deck smartship include the ‘North Star’, an observation capsule that rises 92 metres over the ocean; ‘Two70’ – a $18.5 million hi-tech entertainment venue; cocktails served by robots at the ‘Bionic Bar’; skydiving and surfing experiences; interior virtual balconies with real-time ocean views; luxurious Loft suites with large living areas and private concierge service; and ‘SeaPlex’, the largest indoor activity space at sea – housing a basketball court, circus school, roller-skating, bumper cars, and more.
Ovation of the Seas also boasts 18 restaurants with cuisines from around the globe, including imaginative cuisine at Wonderland, and Jamie’s Italian by celebrity chef Jamie Oliver; the fastest internet connection speeds at sea; and a collection of artwork valued at more than $6 million.