Australia prepares for a Royal visit

It’s a big day for Australia and New Zealand, with Royal Caribbean’s latest and greatest cruise ship confirming visits down under.

The major announcement was made by Royal Caribbean, Asia Pacific’s regional vice president Gavin Smith this morning at a media event, who said Ovation of the Seas will “change the face of cruising in this region.”

The US $1 billion cruise ship stands at over 50 metres tall, is 348 metres in length, stretching longer than three football fields, and will carry almost 5000 passengers. She will make her first of five visits to both Australia and New Zealand in December 2016.

Ovation boasts 18 decks, 18 dining experiences, including Jamie Oliver’s world renowned Jamie’s Italian, and features two exciting first-at-sea activities, with the RipCord by iFly, the first skydiving experience at sea, and North Star, a glass capsule that takes guests 91 metres above sea with 360 degree views.

“Ovation will change everything – every perception, every belief – about cruising in this market,” Smith said today.

“She will bring plenty of space for a wealth of experiences; experiences never been felt before in Australia and New Zealand. Ovation will also be the most modern, technologically-advanced cruise ship, not only in this region, but in the world.”

Other features of the ship include the Two70°, a multi-level room for 540 guests that boasts 270-degree panoramic sea views through floor-to-ceiling windows, SeaPlex, the largest indoor active space at sea with activities like bumper cars, circus school and rollerskating, and the Music Hall, with live music ranging from intimate performances to DJs and themed events.

The Bionic Bar is another cool aspect, allowing guests to place an order for their favourite cocktail via a tablet, before two bionic arms shake and stir without any human assistance.

“We are getting Australians to re-evaluate this category, and rethink cruising. Our product reimagines cruising, and will be the catalyst and driver for Australian families to take a cruise. With this ship, guests will have the greatest ability in the world to design their own cruise experience.”

Ovation of the Seas is the third ship in the Quantum Class and will be the fifth ship in the Royal Caribbean Australian fleet for summer 2016/17, joining three other superliners in Sydney, and one in Brisbane.

She also represents the first time any cruise line in the world has home ported a brand new ship in Australia.

The inaugural sailing will be exclusively chartered by Cruiseco, when it departs Singapore for Sydney in late 2016.

Spots on the ship can be booked solely through Cruiseco’s network of agents, with CEO Steve Lloyd saying Ovation will redefine cruising in Australia.

“Its introduction to our waters is a huge milestone for the booming cruise market and, as Cruiseco celebrates its fifteenth year in operation, we are delighted to be a part of this latest development and the future of cruising,” he said.

“Guests who wish to experience the first sailing, will have the opportunity to book their cruise from Singapore to Sydney via our 300 agents worldwide.”

Smith said that with the enormous capacity of passengers, shore activity and spending alone will bring around AU$2 million per day to Australia’s economy.

“She will be the biggest ship in the Southern Hemisphere to visit Australia, and eclipses everything that any brand has ever brought to Australia,” he said.

One of the key reasons Ovation is even coming down under, Smith added, is because of the renovations undertaken at the Overseas Passenger Terminal at Circular Quay, saying that pre-renovations, they “couldn’t have even imagined bringing Ovation to Australia.”

Given her impressive size, Ovation will only berth at the OPT, with White Bay out of the question due to the low height of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, but Smith said that only five programs could be arranged in the 2016/17 season.

“There are two great berths in Sydney, and they are virtually at capacity,” Smith said. “We are working on the 2017/18 and 2018/19 seasons, because we hope to bring Quantum Class ships to Australia forever.”

“The Overseas Passenger Terminal, as capable as it is, has no space left in 2018. With regards to the terminal, it was a case of no vacancies at the inn.”

In terms of State Government support, Smith also said that it was “available, constructive and proactive” with Royal Caribbean, and that its ambition was to provide the right infrastructure for the cruise industry.

Sydney Ports Corporation’s director and CEO Grant Gilfillan also commented on the Government’s efforts, saying that it was an issue that absolutely needed addressing.

“The issues are problematic and need solutions, not just talk, and the Port Authority is committed to trying to find extra capacity,” he said.

“The penetration of cruising is higher than that of the US, so we are dedicated to finding a solution for the cruise industry, because we are running out of time.”

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Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au

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