Royal Caribbean replaces 2021 Aussie overseas trips with new domestic sailings

23th December 2018, Sydney NSW Australia: Rear of a Ovation of the seas Royal Caribbean International cruise ship with logo and Sydney Opera house in background

Royal Caribbean International has decided to redeploy its iconic Ovation of the Seas for domestic trips due to the continued uncertainty around international borders.

The ship will offer 21 short trips for Australian travellers, which will kick off in Sydney on 13 December 2021 through to 31 March 2022.

As a result, the line has cancelled Ovation of the Seas’ previously scheduled international trips that were set to depart Sydney from 24 October 2021 to 27 February 2022, as well as Serenade of the Seas’ sailings from Sydney on the same dates.

While the uncertainty still lingers over the timeline towards international travel, Royal Caribbean’s regional vice president and managing director, Gavin Smith, said domestic cruising might be closer than we think.

“We continue to encourage and assist federal and state governments to establish a clear pathway for the return of cruising, and hope that by December we will have guests holidaying with us once again,” he said.

“While Sydney manages its ongoing lockdown, several factors make us hopeful that domestic cruising will return this summer, from rapid advances in COVID-19 research, technology and an emphasis on swift vaccine distribution.”

Guests automatically will be issued a future cruise credit to the value of 125 per cent of their cruise fare to use on future sailings. However, they can opt for a full refund.

“We are thankful to our loyal guests and travel partners for their ongoing patience and support since we suspended cruise operations in March 2020,” Smith said.

“Great progress has been made around the world and we are eager to welcome guests back as we have successfully done in Singapore, Europe, the USA and UK.”

Ovation of the Seas’ domestic trips will include two- to 10-night itineraries visiting ports such as Eden, Hobart, Adelaide, Brisbane, Port Douglas, Kangaroo Island, Airlie Beach, Cairns or Port Douglas, and will be available to book from tomorrow.

Royal Caribbean’s summer 2022/2023 sailings are also available for bookings, with Quantum of the Seas, Ovation of the Seas and Radiance of the Seas returning to Australia for trips across Australia, New Zealand and islands of the South Pacific.


Featured image source: iStock/Julien Viry

Latest News

  • Destinations
  • News

APT Launches 2025 Asia Adventures

APT has launched its Asia Adventures for 2025, including new luxury holidays in India, Sri Lanka and Japan. Five new tours lead guests to the highlights of India, including a seven-night cruise along the rarely travelled Lower Ganges aboard the Ganges Voyager. Further south, Sri Lanka’s greatest destinations are revealed on a new 15-day Land […]

  • Cruise
  • Luxury
  • News

Seabourn announces Western Kimberley Traditional Owners as Godparents of Seabourn Pursuit

Seabourn has named Western Kimberley Traditional Owners, the Wunambal Gaambera, as Godparents of the ultra-luxury purpose-built Seabourn Pursuit. It is the first cruise line to appoint Traditional Owners as godparents of a ship. Seabourn Pursuit embarks on its inaugural season in the Kimberley region this June. The naming ceremony will take place on Seabourn Pursuit’s […]

  • Luxury

Malolo Island Resort opens brand new Spa

Fiji’s Malolo Island has added another string to its bow – opening its $1.3 million day spa on Thursday, 18th April 2024. (Lead Image: matriarch Rosie Whitton with spa staff) Located at the edge of the resort’s luscious patch of tropical rainforest, the new “Leilani’s Spa” adds another level of elevated experiences to Malolo’s already […]