Royal Caribbean International has confirmed the Ovation of the Seas will not only spend another month in Australia in her debut season this coming winter, but return in 2017-2018.
The ship will add four extra cruises during this forthcoming 2016-2017 season and return for a second stint in 2017-2018, with the company citing demand.
The extra month in Australia will have limited impact on the company’s position in China.
Final deployment details for both new programs will be released later in April.
“The level of interest for Ovation of the Seas has exceeded all of our expectations; we’re currently over 90 per cent sold for next summer’s sailings,” said Adam Armstrong, managing director, Royal Caribbean Australasia. “She is a true game-changer and such was the high demand for the ship that we’ve been able to secure four extra cruises from Sydney, which will extend the season into late February 2017.
“This extension of her maiden season – plus her subsequent return in 201-2018 – reaffirms Australia’s position as one of the most significant cruising markets in the world and Royal Caribbean’s position as Sydney’s leading cruise line,” Armstrong continued.
“We are delivering Australians the most modern style of cruising from their doorstep – a style they previously had to travel overseas for. Australia has asked for more and we will deliver; four more cruises, a return at the end of 2017, and more opportunities to experience a brand new era of cruising on Ovation of the Seas, purpose-built for the Asia Pacific market,” Armstrong concluded.
