Royal Caribbean preparing to launch newest Quantum class ship

Royal Caribbean Cruise lines will unveil its newest ship, Ovation of the Seas, in April with what the line calls “new and imaginative shows” presented by “the largest entertainment operation at sea.”

The newest of the line’s three Quantum-class ship, Ovation spans 18 decks, encompasses 168,666 gross registered tons, carries 4,180 guests at double occupancy and offers 2,091 staterooms.

Performance in Two70 aboard Quantum of the Seas
The ship includes a state-of-the-art entertainment venue in a multi-level great room called Two70. The venue, which seats between 400 and 500 guests, focuses on technology which augments the talent of the live entertainers to create what the line characterizes as “immersive experiences.”

Technicians have at their disposal several multi-media devices including Vistarama, an ultra-high definition apparatus that uses movable floor-to-ceiling windows and 18 projectors to create images up to 100 feet wide and 20 feet tall. Vistarama’s 12K resolution is nearly twice that of an IMAX cinema.

Ovation of the Seas also includes a main theater called the Royal Theater, which seats 1,300 guests.

In addition to the stage productions in Two70 and the Royal Theater, Ovation of the Seas offers a lineup of fully produced late-night events and parties including live dance music and themed parties. Younger guests can take in activities featuring DreamWorks Animation's popular film characters including character breakfasts, impromptu ‘meet-and-greet’ experiences to photo-ops throughout the day.

A broad range of activities on all three Quantum class ships include the North Star, an observation capsule that rises more than 300 feet to provide panoramic views; skydiving and surfing experiences; and SeaPlex, which the line calls “the largest indoor activity space at sea.” SeaPlex includes basketball, roller-skating, bumper cars, and more.

Kung Fu Panda noodle shop aboard Quantum
Each ship offers 18 restaurants onboard with a variety of cuisines. Accommodations include unique Loft Suites and Virtual Balcony staterooms – inside cabins that feature large digital screens displaying real-time views that replicate those available from outside cabins, thus ensuring that every room has a view, even if it is a virtual view.

Ovation of the Seas will join Quantum of the Seas, Mariner of the Seas, Voyager of the Seas and Legend of the Seas to make up the largest fleet of any cruise line sailing in China, according to the company. Ovation is the first ship specifically built to serve the China market; the other ships in the area either were revitalized with spaces specific to the China market or were sent there as is, a cruise line representative told TheTravelPro in an email.

After its official launch in April, Ovation will operate three cruises out of Southampton, England, sailing to ports in Rotterdam, France, Belgium and Spain before leaving for Tianjin, China.

Its trip to China will start with a seven-night cruise, leaving England May 3 for Barcelona, Spain. That will be followed by a 16-night cruise leaving Spain May 10 and crossing the Mediterranean Sea and navigating the Suez Canal before reaching Dubai, U.A.E. Ovation of the Seas will leave Dubai May 26 for a 14-night cruise to Singapore. From there, the ship will visit Malaysia and return to Singapore before resuming its journey to Tianjin with a 12-night sailing that departs June 12.

Space is still available on each of those cruises according to Royal Caribbean’s website. Fares start at $817 per person for an interior stateroom on the England to Barcelona cruise, $1,296 to sail from Spain to Dubai, $1,053 from Dubai to Singapore, and $1,325 from Singapore to Tianjin. Interior and balcony staterooms still available on all sailings as of this writing; outside staterooms are sold out on the Barcelona to Dubai cruise and Royal Class suites are sold out on the Singapore to Tianjin sailing.

While Ovation will sail from Tianjin on a seasonal basis, it will homeport in Shanghai, China.

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Photos provided by Royal Caribbean
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