Royal Caribbean International’s newest billion-dollar smartship Ovation of the Seas today made her maiden call at Boustead Cruise Centre in Port Klang. She arrived on a three-night cruise from Singapore carrying 4,576 guests, which is the largest number of guests ever on a ship call at any Malaysian port.
At 347m long, 168,666 gross registered tonnes, and laden with first-at sea features and technologies, Ovation of the Seas joins her sister Quantum of the Seas as the largest in Asia, which has also called at Port Klang last year. She has a total capacity for 4,905 guests staying in 2,090 staterooms and hosted by 1,500 crew.
Royal Caribbean’s Managing Director, Singapore and Southeast Asia, Mr Sean Treacy said, “Ovation of the Seas is the newest addition to Royal Caribbean’s Quantum class line of technologically-advanced smartships, and we’re pleased to bring her to Port Klang today.
“The ship offers the most relaxing and luxurious accommodations at sea and is filled with technologically-advanced innovations in entertainment and culinary which we are sure will bring excitement to our guests on board and redefine cruising in the region. Malaysian vacationers will have more chances to experience this ship again next year when she returns for 10 more Southeast Asian sailings from March to April 2017.
“Deploying this new ship here also underscores our confidence in the region’s cruise industry and our commitment to growing our presence here and throughout the region.”
Mr Treacy further shared that with the deployment of Ovation of the Seas, plus the return of Voyager of the Seas in May and Mariner of the Seas in October, this will increase Royal Caribbean’s capacity in 2017 in Southeast Asia by 30 per cent over 2016.
Guests on board the 18-deck smartship will enjoy the ‘North Star’, an observation capsule that rises 92 metres over the ocean; ‘Two70’ – a RM5.51 million hi-tech entertainment venue; cocktails served by robots at the ‘Bionic Bar’; skydiving and surfing experiences; interior virtual balcony staterooms 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 sports, a circus school, roller-skating, bumper cars, and more.
Ovation of the Seas also boasts 18 restaurants with cuisines from around the globe, including imaginative dining 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 RM18.4 million, including a kinetic moving sculpture and the 33-Foot Panda and Cub statue on the open deck.
The three-night cruise from Singapore was part of Ovation of the Seas’ 52-night Global Odyssey from Southampton, England to Tianjin, China. Next year, she will offer return trips from Singapore ranging from three to five 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).